US4984594A - Vacuum method for removing soil contamination utilizing surface electrical heating - Google Patents

Vacuum method for removing soil contamination utilizing surface electrical heating Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US4984594A
US4984594A US07/427,418 US42741889A US4984594A US 4984594 A US4984594 A US 4984594A US 42741889 A US42741889 A US 42741889A US 4984594 A US4984594 A US 4984594A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
soil
contaminants
heater
surface heater
impermeable sheet
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US07/427,418
Inventor
Harold J. Vinegar
George L. Stegemeier
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
University of Texas System
Original Assignee
Shell Oil Co
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Shell Oil Co filed Critical Shell Oil Co
Priority to US07/427,418 priority Critical patent/US4984594A/en
Assigned to SHELL OIL COMPANY reassignment SHELL OIL COMPANY ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: STEGEMEIER, GEORGE L., VINEGAR, HAROLD J.
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US4984594A publication Critical patent/US4984594A/en
Assigned to BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM reassignment BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: SHELL OIL COMPANY
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B09—DISPOSAL OF SOLID WASTE; RECLAMATION OF CONTAMINATED SOIL
    • B09C—RECLAMATION OF CONTAMINATED SOIL
    • B09C1/00—Reclamation of contaminated soil
    • B09C1/06—Reclamation of contaminated soil thermally
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B09—DISPOSAL OF SOLID WASTE; RECLAMATION OF CONTAMINATED SOIL
    • B09C—RECLAMATION OF CONTAMINATED SOIL
    • B09C2101/00—In situ

Definitions

  • Bridges et al propose a method for in-situ decontamination of spills and landfills by radio frequency heating.
  • the soil is heated by radio frequency energy to a temperature higher than that needed to boil water, which is said to increase the permeability of the region.
  • a vapor and gas collection and containment barrier is installed above the region to be decontaminated.
  • the heating is continued by dielectric heating after water has boiled from at least a portion of the region so as to heat the portion to elevated temperatures substantially above the boiling point of water.
  • the material is rendered innocuous in-situ in a number of ways, as by pyrolysis, thermally assisted decomposition, distillation, or reaction with an introduced reagent, such as oxygen.
  • the materials may also be driven from the region, as by distillation or by evaporation and steam drive and then collected and disposed of by incineration.
  • an in-situ method for remediation and decontamination of surface and near-surface soils by evacuating the soil under a flexible sheet, which is impermeable to gases, and heating the soil surface with a relatively flat electric surface heater, which is permeable to gases.
  • the heater may be constructed, for example, from a mesh of electrically conductive metal wires.
  • the surface heater is equipped with provision for electrical connections to supply electric power to the heater, and is placed in contact with the soil surface. Electrical power is supplied to the heater at power line frequencies of about 60 Hz.
  • the surface heater is permeable to vapors that emanate from the soil when heated.
  • a mat which is substantially more permeable to gases than the soil and which may also be a good thermal insulator.
  • a flexible impermeable sheet with at least one opening serving as a vacuum line connection. The impermeable sheet extends areally beyond the surface heater and permeable mat, is impermeable to gases, and has the capability of sealing to the soil surface.
  • a layer of thermal insulation may be placed above the impermeable sheet.
  • a vacuum is applied through a manifold connected to the impermeable sheet. Creating a vacuum below the impermeable sheet will cause the sheet to be sucked tightly to the ground surface.
  • the soil surface is sealed by the impermeable sheet as atmospheric pressure pushes the sheet against the soil surface.
  • the impermeable sheet will press the permeable mat and heater against the soil surface.
  • the impermeable sheet will form a seal against the soil surface.
  • the temperature of the soil is raised by applying heat to the surface of the soil with a surface heater.
  • the surface heater can reach temperatures as high as 1000° C. or more, if necessary.
  • a thermal front moves downward into the soil by thermal conduction, thereby vaporizing water and contaminants in the near-surface soil.
  • contaminants that are subject to thermal decomposition at least a portion of the soil may be heated to a temperature sufficient to fragment contaminants into their decomposition products. Also, additional decomposition may occur as the vaporized contaminants pass through the very high temperatures at the surface heater.
  • the vacuum is maintained throughout the period of heating and for a sufficient time after heating to avoid contaminant losses or dispersion.
  • the vacuum will cause vaporization or boiling to occur at a lower temperature than the normal boiling point at atmospheric pressure.
  • the high boiling point contaminants will be removed by steam distillation in the presence of water vapor within the soil at a temperature well below the normal boiling point of such contaminants. This will occur for all contaminants that are nearly immiscible in water, since the boiling point of the mixture of two immiscible fluids will always be less than the boiling point of either component. Contaminants with normal boiling points well above 300° C. can thus be removed by this process.
  • this process can be applied to soils which have low in-situ moisture content. Moreover, the decontamination process can be continued at temperatures well above the point at which moisture in the soil evaporates.
  • the water vapor and contaminants and/or decomposition products may be collected, for example, in a cold trap located between the opening in the impermeable sheet and a vacuum pump.
  • the water and contaminant liquids can be separated on the basis of density in a separator, while the gases can be reused, or incinerated, or otherwise disposed.
  • the contaminants and/or their decomposition products can be trapped and concentrated, for example, on molecular sieve material, on activated carbon, or in a wet scrubber. Thereafter the concentrated contaminants and/or their decomposition products can be reused, or incinerated, or otherwise disposed.
  • the contaminants and/or their decomposition products can be incinerated in line.
  • the surface heater is used to heat the soil continuously at a constant or varying temperature.
  • the heater is used to heat the soil surface to a high temperature, such as about 1000° C., then the heater is turned off, allowing a thermal front to propagate deeper into the soil.
  • the heating process can be tailored to use the minimum amount of electrical energy to heat the soil to a predetermined minimum temperature at a minimum depth, required for volatilization and/or decomposition of the contaminants.
  • the initial moisture content is insufficient, or removed by heating, it may be advantageous to add water to enhance steam distillation.
  • the process may consist of repetitive cycles of heating, adding moisture to the soil, heating, adding moisture, etc. to take advantage of steam distillation in reducing contaminant concentrations.
  • various gases and liquids can be supplied through an opening in the flexible sheet or through the surface at the periphery of the flexible sheet.
  • oxygen, hydrogen peroxide, or other reactants could be added to the soil to remove or decompose the contaminants further by chemical reaction at elevated temperature. This could be done in conjunction with additional heating to accelerate the reaction kinetics for decomposition of the contaminants.
  • Still another practice of this invention could embody other sequences of withdrawal of liquids prior to electrical heating.
  • liquid water could be removed by evacuation through the flexible sheet, thereby desaturating the soil and reducing the electrical power required for vaporization of the moisture.
  • Some of the contaminants that can be removed by this process include hydrocarbons, pesticides, chlorinated hydrocarbons such as PCBs, chemical warfare products, radioactive wastes such as tritium and tritiated water, and heavy metal contaminants such as mercury, arsenic, etc.
  • the invention is in general applicable to any contaminant which has a vapor phase at elevated temperatures and reduced pressures, and/or may be decomposed at elevated temperatures and reduced pressures.
  • FIG. 1 shows an areal drawing of a heated section according to the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view through a heating section.
  • FIG. 3 shows the temperature at the soil surface after heating at various constant heat fluxes.
  • FIG. 4 shows the fractional temperature rise versus soil depth for various heating times.
  • FIG. 5 shows the cost per ton to raise soil to various temperatures as a function of initial moisture content in the soil.
  • FIG. 1 there is shown an areal drawing of a heated section according to the present invention.
  • the size of a heated section can be, for example, of the order of 50-100 feet on a side but could be greater or smaller than this size.
  • multiple heating sections could be operated simultaneously, or the heated section could be moved after decontaminating subregions.
  • the precise size of a heating section will be determined by an economic optimum which depends, in turn, on the cost of deploying the heating section versus the amount of area decontaminated at one time.
  • the shape of the heated section may be square, rectangular, hexagonal, round, or some other shape.
  • the surface heater in the heating section is energized from a low-frequency source at 60 Hz or below by means of a common bus line 11 which may connect, for example, to a transformer 12, a power conditioner (not shown), a phase-angle fired silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) power supply, or directly to the power line 13.
  • a common bus line 11 which may connect, for example, to a transformer 12, a power conditioner (not shown), a phase-angle fired silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) power supply, or directly to the power line 13.
  • SCR silicon controlled rectifier
  • Surface facilities are also provided for monitoring current, voltage, and power to the surface heater.
  • the fluid and vapor collection facilities are also shown in FIG. 1.
  • the pumping manifold 15 connects to a vacuum collection system 16.
  • the vacuum collection system includes, for example, a cold trap, a separator, and a vacuum pump.
  • the vacuum pump should be capable of pulling a vacuum of approximately 2 psia or lower at the soil surface. It may be necessary to heat the short section of the pumping manifold from the impermeable sheet to the cold trap to prevent condensation of the contaminants before reaching the cold trap.
  • the pumping manifold 15 may be constructed of metal pipe heated by an electric tracing and thermally insulated.
  • a side port of the cold trap may be connected to a gas chromatograph, mass spectrometer, or both, or to other monitoring equipment, which can be used to monitor the level of contaminants and/or decomposition products in the vapor. If radioactive contaminants are being removed, the monitoring equipment could be a scintillation counter or Geiger counter.
  • the water vapor and contaminants and/or decomposition products are collected in a separator (not shown) connected to the pumping manifold.
  • the water and contaminant liquids can be separated from the vapors and gases on the basis of density in the separator.
  • the contaminants can be trapped and concentrated on molecular sieve material, on activated carbon, or in a wet scrubber.
  • the contaminants may be recovered and reused, or may be incinerated, or disposed of by other means.
  • an atomic plasma discharge apparatus (not shown), using radio frequency electric power to dissociate the contaminant gases to their atomic form, could be located in line before the low temperature trap for destruction of the contaminant gases. After dissociation, the atoms recombine into simpler, nonhazardous molecules. Since a plasma discharge normally requires low pressures, this method of disposal has a particular advantage of making use of the low pressures that the contaminant gases are reduced to in the practice of this invention.
  • FIG. 2 there is shown a side view through a heating section in a plane coincident with an opening in the impermeable sheet.
  • the surface heater 21 is covered with a permeable mat 22, which is covered with an impermeable sheet 23.
  • the surface heater and permeable mat are both permeable to gases.
  • the impermeable sheet is impermeable to gases.
  • a layer of thermal insulation 24 may be included on top of the impermeable sheet.
  • the surface heater 21 is pressed against the surface soil by atmospheric pressure exerted on the overlying impermeable sheet. This pressure insures good thermal contact between the heater and the soil. By evacuating from the surface, this process pulls additional moisture from soil below the decontaminated surface layer in order to minimize migration of the contaminants to deeper depths and also ensures good areal confinement of the contaminants.
  • the surface heater 21 may be a mesh constructed from a conducting metal, such as stainless steel or nichrome, which can tolerate very high temperatures (as high as 1000° C. or more). To be compatible with most power sources, the metal should have sufficient resistivity so that the mesh has a total effective resistance of several ohms. The metal should also have good mechanical strength for durability when dragged over rough terrain. Moreover, the metal should be inexpensive and readily available. Stainless steel may be considered for corrosion resistance. A 325 mesh of 304 stainless steel with wire 0.0014-inch in diameter has been found satisfactory, although other sizes and materials could be used. Depending on the mesh conductivity, the mesh could be made in sections connected together either in series, in parallel, or in series/parallel combinations.
  • a conducting metal such as stainless steel or nichrome
  • the surface heater may also be constructed of metal wires which loop back and forth and do not form a mesh.
  • the metal wires could be stitched into a ceramic fiber cloth such as wire-reinforced NEXTEL 440 sold by Minnesota Mining Manufacturing Co. of St. Paul, Minn.
  • the surface heater could also consist of metal strips or ribbons or a metallic coating in a defined pattern. Still another possibility is to construct the surface heater from a thin metal foil or sheet with perforations to allow gas flow through the foil or sheet.
  • Conducting cables 25 connect the surface heater with the power source.
  • the connections from the power source to the surface heater should be made in a manner that results in uniform heating of the surface soil.
  • the cables should be insulated and should be constructed of a nonferromagnetic conductor such as copper or aluminum to reduce magnetic hysteresis losses in the cable.
  • the cables can be brought through sealed holes in the impermeable sheet, or could be brought out from under the impermeable sheet through a shallow trench in the soil later covered with dirt. Avoidance of trenching, however, offers distinct advantages when working in severely contaminated areas.
  • Thermocouples or other temperature monitoring means may be placed in the soil under the impermeable sheet and at various locations above and below the surface heater to aid in monitoring and controlling the temperatures.
  • the permeable mat 22 serves as a conduit for flow beneath the impermeable sheet.
  • the permeable mat may be, for example, a thin layer of high permeability sand or other granular material, such as amorphous aluminosilicate or alumina catalyst, covering the surface heater.
  • the permeable mat should be sufficiently permeable to allow gases which emanate from the soil to pass through essentially vertically. A substantial permeability must remain even after atmospheric pressure pushes the mat against the ground and compresses it. The permeable mat extends areally beyond the surface heater.
  • the permeable mat may also be a good thermal insulator to protect the impermeable sheet from excessive temperatures and reduce heat losses to the air.
  • the permeable mat may be constructed of various types of insulation, for example, glass fiber, ceramic fiber such as NEXTEL, mineral wool, or other high temperature thermally insulating material.
  • the permeable mat could be a honeycomb or other repeating structure composed of thermally insulating material.
  • a preferred configuration for a permeable mat with good thermal insulation properties is a layer of NEXTEL ceramic fiber combined with a layer of corrugated 304 stainless steel knitted wire mesh (0.011 inch mesh ⁇ 60 density, 2 ply, 6.5 lb/ft 2 ), with about a 1/4-inch crimp.
  • the knitted wire mesh has extremely high gas permeability and can easily support a force of 15 pounds per square inch. Moreover the thermal conductivity of such a knitted wire mesh is low. If the surface heater is operated at temperatures as high as 1000° C., additional insulation will be required.
  • the permeable mat may be composed of multiple layers, including insulating layers, to reduce convection and radiation.
  • the permeable mat may comprise a layer of NEXTEL ceramic fiber, then a layer of corrugated knitted wire mesh, then a layer of perforated aluminum foil for a radiation reflecting shield, then another layer of NEXTEL, another layer of knitted wire mesh, another aluminum foil shield, etc.
  • the impermeable sheet 23 is placed above the surface heater and the permeable mat.
  • the impermeable sheet may be constructed of silicone rubber, silicone rubber reinforced with fiberglass, or other high temperature material which is flexible yet impermeable to gas flow, such as VITON, VITON reinforced with fiberglass, or TEFLON reinforced with fiberglass.
  • the impermeable sheet must be able to tolerate temperatures above the condensation temperature of the contaminants.
  • the required thickness of the impermeable sheet will depend on operating conditions; however, typically the thickness will be in the range of about 3 to about 125 mils, although it could be less than or greater than this amount. The thicker the material the more durable; however, the thicker the material the greater the cost and the greater the weight involved in transporting the section.
  • the impermeable sheet extends out a substantial distance greater than the surface heater and permeable mat in all directions in order to provide greater sealing surface for better vacuum. This distance could be, for example, five or ten feet beyond the surface heater in all directions.
  • the impermeable sheet could be constructed of a thin metal sheet instead of an elastomer.
  • the metal sheet could tolerate higher temperatures than an elastomer sheet and would allow operation at temperatures up to 1500° C. or higher.
  • the thin metal sheet could be, for example, 1/4 mil stainless steel foil.
  • One or more holes are premanufactured in the impermeable sheet to insert a vacuum pumping manifold connection 26, and possibly for bringing the electrical leads through the sheeting.
  • a plurality of holes for connection to the pumping manifold may be required.
  • Reinforcement may be used around the holes to prevent tearing.
  • the holes also may have a rubber gasket 27 surrounding them, sealed to the impermeable sheet with high temperature silicone adhesives, which will also be used for sealing the electrical connections.
  • Thermocouples or other temperature monitoring means may be placed on or under the impermeable sheet to aid in controlling the temperature of the impermeable sheet.
  • the impermeable sheet may also have a layer of thermal insulation 24 placed above it to prevent heat losses and to insure that the vaporized contaminants do not condense under the impermeable sheet.
  • the thermal insulation could be, for example, mineral or cotton wool, glass wool or fiberglass, polystyrene foam, or aluminized mylar ("superinsulation").
  • the thickness of this layer of thermal insulation is selected to keep the impermeable sheet at a temperature above the condensation temperature of the contaminants and their decomposition products, but low enough to prevent the impermeable sheet from melting or degrading.
  • the thermal insulation may be, for example, up to 1 inch thick or more.
  • the insulation may be in sections or bats for easier deployment. With only mild heating, it may be possible to eliminate the thermal insulation.
  • the surface heater, permeable mat, thermal insulation, and impermeable sheet could be constructed in one piece, rather than in separate layers as described above.
  • the surface heater is laid out over the soil in the pattern desired.
  • the permeable mat is laid over the heater.
  • the permeable mat may or may not be a thermal insulator. Layers of thermal insulation may be included in the permeable mat.
  • the impermeable sheet is laid over the permeable mat. Additional thermal insulation may be added above the impermeable sheet. The vacuum connections are then made at the openings in the impermeable sheet, and the electrical connections are made to the surface heater.
  • a vacuum is applied through the pumping manifold connected to the impermeable sheet.
  • the soil surface is sealed as the impermeable sheet is pressed against the permeable mat and/or insulation layer and surface heater, and toward the soil by the atmospheric pressure. Air, moisture, and contaminants in the soil below the surface heater will be pulled to the surface by the applied vacuum.
  • the water vapor, contaminants and/or decomposition products collected by the pumping manifold flow to the cold trap, separator, and vacuum pump for collection, separation and disposal or reuse.
  • the temperature of the soil is increased by applying heat with the surface heater.
  • the soil is heated to the extent necessary to effectively remove and/or decompose the contaminants.
  • a thermal front moves downward through the soil by thermal conduction, thereby resulting in vaporization of water and contaminants present in the soil.
  • the contaminants present are subject to thermal decomposition, and at least a portion of the soil is heated to a temperature at or above the decomposition temperature, then some portion of the contaminants will decompose into decomposition products.
  • the decomposition may occur in the soil, and/or as the vapors pass through the electric surface heater.
  • the surface heater can reach temperatures as high as 1000° C. or more, if necessary. At these temperatures, the hydrocarbon contaminants will decompose into simpler species such as carbon dioxide and water (and hydrogen chloride if chlorinated hydrocarbons are present). Contaminants which do not decompose as they pass through the soil may decompose as they pass through the surface heater.
  • a layer of catalyst such as amorphous aluminosilicate powder or alumina, can be placed above the surface heater to accelerate the decomposition.
  • FIG. 3 shows the calculated temperature at the soil surface after surface heating at various constant heat fluxes for a soil with a uniform thermal conductivity of 0.152 BTU/hr-°F.-ft and a thermal diffusivity of 0.0077 ft 2 /hr. If heating is initiated at a high heat flux, such as 800 watts/ft 2 , the heat flux must be reduced after a few hours to avoid overheating at the surface. For routine, continuous operations, a heat flux of about 200 watts/ft 2 would provide uniform heating of the soil to target temperatures without overheating at the soil surface.
  • FIG. 4 shows the calculated fractional temperature rise versus depth for various heating times resulting from heating the same soil and maintaining a constant surface temperature. With longer heating times, the thermal front would move deeper into the soil. For example, if the surface heater is maintained at 1000° C., the top foot of soil will reach a temperature of at least 500° C. within 6 days, and a contaminant in the top foot of soil with a boiling point of 500° C. or less will be vaporized within 6 days.
  • a vacuum is maintained throughout the heating period, and for a sufficient time afterward to avoid contaminant losses or dispersion.
  • the vacuum will cause vaporization or boiling of the water and contaminants to occur at a lower temperature than the normal boiling point at atmospheric pressure.
  • the high boiling point contaminants will be removed by steam distillation in the presence of water vapor at a temperature well below the normal boiling point of the contaminants. This will occur for all contaminants that are nearly immiscible in water, since the boiling point of the mixture of two immiscible fluids will always be less than the boiling point of either component.
  • N-dodecane a typical hydrocarbon
  • N-dodecane alone has a normal boiling point of 216° C. and a solubility in water of 4-5 parts per billion.
  • the boiling point of the mixture of water and n-dodecane at atmospheric pressure is just below the boiling point of water, about 99° C.
  • the temperature of the soil does not have to be raised to 216° C. to remove the n-dodecane, but rather to more modest temperatures, especially if the pressure is reduced.
  • Contaminants whose boiling points are well beyond 300° C. can thus be removed by this process of steam distillation below the boiling point of the contaminant.
  • the soil contains a large amount of free water, it may be economically attractive to start by pumping through the manifold to remove some of the free water, followed by surface heating. This saves the electrical energy required to vaporize the excess free water from the soil.
  • the initial moisture content is insufficient, or removed by heating, it may be necessary to add water to enhance steam distillation.
  • the process may consist of repetitive cycles of adding water, heating to create steam distillation, adding more water, reheating, etc. This repetition can result in still lower levels of residual contamination.
  • various gases and liquids can be supplied to the soil through openings in the impermeable sheet.
  • gases and liquids can be supplied to the soil by, for example, temporarily shutting off the vacuum pump, supplying the gas or liquid through an opening in the impermeable sheet, and then allowing the vacuum built up within the soil to pull the gas or liquid into the soil.
  • a liquid could be supplied in a similar fashion, and capillary forces present in the soil would draw the liquid into the soil.
  • liquids could be introduced directly into the soil at the periphery of the impermeable sheet.
  • the addition of water at the periphery could also be used to reduce the soil permeability to air beyond the edge of the impermeable sheet.
  • shallow injection wells could be installed around the periphery of the heated section for injection of gases or liquids. These fluids could then be pulled into the contaminated soil under the surface heater by the vacuum pump.
  • water, oxygen, hydrogen peroxide, superheated steam, alkalis or acids or other reactants could be added to the soil to further remove or decompose the contaminants, as required. This could be done in conjunction with additional surface heating to accelerate the reaction kinetics for the decomposition of the contaminants.
  • One of the advantages of the reduced pressure vaporization in this invention is the reduction in steam required to remove a given amount of contaminant.
  • the soil temperature is heated to 100° C. and the pressure is atmospheric pressure (760 mm Hg).
  • the vapor pressure of n-dodecane at this temperature is 18.5 mm Hg.
  • the quantity of water is 0.630 lb-mole, or 11.34 lb.
  • the decontamination process can be applied in soils which have a low in-situ moisture content or a high contaminant level relative to moisture content. Unlike other decontamination processes that rely on electrical conduction through the soil, this invention relies only on thermal conduction through the soil. It can therefore be applied in completely dry soils and at temperatures beyond the boiling point of water. Moreover, thermal conduction results in a more uniform heating of the soil than electrical conduction because there is substantially less variation and less heterogeneity in the thermal conductivity of soils than there is in the electrical conductivity of soils.
  • FIG. 5 there is shown the cost in dollars per ton to raise soil to various final temperatures as a function of moisture content of the soil.
  • the assumptions are: (a) electrical costs of $0.055 per KWh; (b) initial temperature of 21° C.; and (c) 75% energy contained in the region to be decontaminated. For soil with original moisture content of 5%, the electrical cost will be only about $6.50/ton to raise the temperature to 250° C.
  • the capital costs and other operating costs are also substantially lower than other decontamination processes.

Abstract

An in-situ method is disclosed for removing contaminants from surface and near-surface soil by imposing a vacuum on the soil beneath a impermeable flexible sheet and then heating the soil with an electric surface heater that is positioned on the soil surface under the sheet. The heater is permeable to vapors which emanate from the soil when heated. A permeable mat, which may also be a good thermal insulator, separates the heater from the impermeable sheet and provides a conduit for flow of vapors to openings in the sheet. The openings, in turn, are connected to a vacuum manifold for collection of the vapors. A vacuum pump evacuates the region under the impermeable sheet such that the sheet, mat, and heater are pressed firmly against the soil surface by atomospheric pressure. The soil contaminants are removed by vaporization, steam distillation, and/or thermal decomposition.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The contamination of surface and near-surface soils has become a matter of great concern in many locations in the United States and other countries. Increasingly the public has become aware of spills and landfills of toxic and carcinogenic or radioactive materials in the soil. If left in place, many of these contaminants will find their way into aquifers or into the food supply, and could become public health hazards.
There are many proposed methods for removal of surface contaminants, such as excavation followed by incineration, in-situ vitrification, bacterial attack, chemical additives .for deactivation, radio frequency heating, etc. Although successful in some applications, these methods can be very expensive (hundreds of dollars per ton) and are not practical if many tons of soil must be treated. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has targeted over a thousand sites for Superfund cleanup. Yet, to date, the EPA has Partially cleaned up only a fraction of these sites, spending a staggering $4 billion in the process (U.S. News & World Report, Feb. 6, 1989, pp. 47-49).
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,670,634, Bridges et al propose a method for in-situ decontamination of spills and landfills by radio frequency heating. The soil is heated by radio frequency energy to a temperature higher than that needed to boil water, which is said to increase the permeability of the region. A vapor and gas collection and containment barrier is installed above the region to be decontaminated. The heating is continued by dielectric heating after water has boiled from at least a portion of the region so as to heat the portion to elevated temperatures substantially above the boiling point of water. The material is rendered innocuous in-situ in a number of ways, as by pyrolysis, thermally assisted decomposition, distillation, or reaction with an introduced reagent, such as oxygen. The materials may also be driven from the region, as by distillation or by evaporation and steam drive and then collected and disposed of by incineration.
While U.S. Pat. No. 4,670,634 is a significant advance relative to previous remediation methods, it has several disadvantages. The use of radio frequency power in the MHz range makes the process hard to control as the soil dries out; results in less uniform heating because of "hot spots" which are overheated every half wavelength and "cold spots" which are underheated; results in loss of efficiency in the generation of radio frequency power; and emits electromagnetic noise that can interfere with radio communications. Also, because the process in U.S. Pat. No. 4,670,634 operates near atmospheric pressure, it requires cumbersome vapor collection barriers at the surface.
What is desired, therefore, is a method for effectively removing contamination which avoids the excavation of large quantities of soil; which can be utilized at depths greater than a few feet; which can remove contaminants with boiling points substantially greater than that of water (up to several hundred degrees centigrade); which is generally applicable to a wide range of contaminants (even those with low vapor pressure at room temperature); which can reduce the level of contamination down to low levels; and which is rapid and inexpensive to operate in a wide variety of soils and surface conditions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In the present invention, an in-situ method is disclosed for remediation and decontamination of surface and near-surface soils by evacuating the soil under a flexible sheet, which is impermeable to gases, and heating the soil surface with a relatively flat electric surface heater, which is permeable to gases.
The heater may be constructed, for example, from a mesh of electrically conductive metal wires. The surface heater is equipped with provision for electrical connections to supply electric power to the heater, and is placed in contact with the soil surface. Electrical power is supplied to the heater at power line frequencies of about 60 Hz. The surface heater is permeable to vapors that emanate from the soil when heated. Above the surface heater is placed a mat which is substantially more permeable to gases than the soil and which may also be a good thermal insulator. Above the permeable mat is placed a flexible impermeable sheet with at least one opening serving as a vacuum line connection. The impermeable sheet extends areally beyond the surface heater and permeable mat, is impermeable to gases, and has the capability of sealing to the soil surface. A layer of thermal insulation may be placed above the impermeable sheet.
According to the teachings of this invention, a vacuum is applied through a manifold connected to the impermeable sheet. Creating a vacuum below the impermeable sheet will cause the sheet to be sucked tightly to the ground surface. The soil surface is sealed by the impermeable sheet as atmospheric pressure pushes the sheet against the soil surface. At the center of the pattern, the impermeable sheet will press the permeable mat and heater against the soil surface. In the peripheral region beyond the surface heater and permeable mat, the impermeable sheet will form a seal against the soil surface. Thus substantially only the air, soil moisture, and contaminants in the soil below the surface heater will be pulled toward the soil surface, minimizing the risk of spreading the surface contamination.
While applying a vacuum to the soil, the temperature of the soil is raised by applying heat to the surface of the soil with a surface heater. The surface heater can reach temperatures as high as 1000° C. or more, if necessary. A thermal front moves downward into the soil by thermal conduction, thereby vaporizing water and contaminants in the near-surface soil. For contaminants that are subject to thermal decomposition, at least a portion of the soil may be heated to a temperature sufficient to fragment contaminants into their decomposition products. Also, additional decomposition may occur as the vaporized contaminants pass through the very high temperatures at the surface heater. The vacuum is maintained throughout the period of heating and for a sufficient time after heating to avoid contaminant losses or dispersion.
The vacuum will cause vaporization or boiling to occur at a lower temperature than the normal boiling point at atmospheric pressure. At the same time, the high boiling point contaminants will be removed by steam distillation in the presence of water vapor within the soil at a temperature well below the normal boiling point of such contaminants. This will occur for all contaminants that are nearly immiscible in water, since the boiling point of the mixture of two immiscible fluids will always be less than the boiling point of either component. Contaminants with normal boiling points well above 300° C. can thus be removed by this process.
Unlike other decontamination processes that require flow of electrical current within the soil, this process can be applied to soils which have low in-situ moisture content. Moreover, the decontamination process can be continued at temperatures well above the point at which moisture in the soil evaporates.
The water vapor and contaminants and/or decomposition products may be collected, for example, in a cold trap located between the opening in the impermeable sheet and a vacuum pump. Alternatively, the water and contaminant liquids can be separated on the basis of density in a separator, while the gases can be reused, or incinerated, or otherwise disposed. Alternatively, the contaminants and/or their decomposition products can be trapped and concentrated, for example, on molecular sieve material, on activated carbon, or in a wet scrubber. Thereafter the concentrated contaminants and/or their decomposition products can be reused, or incinerated, or otherwise disposed. Alternatively, the contaminants and/or their decomposition products can be incinerated in line.
In one heating method, the surface heater is used to heat the soil continuously at a constant or varying temperature. In an alternative method, the heater is used to heat the soil surface to a high temperature, such as about 1000° C., then the heater is turned off, allowing a thermal front to propagate deeper into the soil. The heating process can be tailored to use the minimum amount of electrical energy to heat the soil to a predetermined minimum temperature at a minimum depth, required for volatilization and/or decomposition of the contaminants. When the initial moisture content is insufficient, or removed by heating, it may be advantageous to add water to enhance steam distillation. The process may consist of repetitive cycles of heating, adding moisture to the soil, heating, adding moisture, etc. to take advantage of steam distillation in reducing contaminant concentrations.
In an additional method of practicing this invention, once the near-surface soil has been evacuated and is at elevated temperatures, various gases and liquids can be supplied through an opening in the flexible sheet or through the surface at the periphery of the flexible sheet. Thus, for example, oxygen, hydrogen peroxide, or other reactants could be added to the soil to remove or decompose the contaminants further by chemical reaction at elevated temperature. This could be done in conjunction with additional heating to accelerate the reaction kinetics for decomposition of the contaminants.
Still another practice of this invention could embody other sequences of withdrawal of liquids prior to electrical heating. For example, liquid water could be removed by evacuation through the flexible sheet, thereby desaturating the soil and reducing the electrical power required for vaporization of the moisture.
Some of the contaminants that can be removed by this process include hydrocarbons, pesticides, chlorinated hydrocarbons such as PCBs, chemical warfare products, radioactive wastes such as tritium and tritiated water, and heavy metal contaminants such as mercury, arsenic, etc. The invention is in general applicable to any contaminant which has a vapor phase at elevated temperatures and reduced pressures, and/or may be decomposed at elevated temperatures and reduced pressures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 shows an areal drawing of a heated section according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view through a heating section.
FIG. 3 shows the temperature at the soil surface after heating at various constant heat fluxes.
FIG. 4 shows the fractional temperature rise versus soil depth for various heating times.
FIG. 5 shows the cost per ton to raise soil to various temperatures as a function of initial moisture content in the soil.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown an areal drawing of a heated section according to the present invention. The size of a heated section can be, for example, of the order of 50-100 feet on a side but could be greater or smaller than this size. For a large contaminated site, of the size of an acre or more, multiple heating sections could be operated simultaneously, or the heated section could be moved after decontaminating subregions. The precise size of a heating section will be determined by an economic optimum which depends, in turn, on the cost of deploying the heating section versus the amount of area decontaminated at one time. The shape of the heated section may be square, rectangular, hexagonal, round, or some other shape.
The surface heater in the heating section is energized from a low-frequency source at 60 Hz or below by means of a common bus line 11 which may connect, for example, to a transformer 12, a power conditioner (not shown), a phase-angle fired silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) power supply, or directly to the power line 13. Surface facilities (not shown) are also provided for monitoring current, voltage, and power to the surface heater.
The fluid and vapor collection facilities are also shown in FIG. 1. The pumping manifold 15 connects to a vacuum collection system 16. The vacuum collection system includes, for example, a cold trap, a separator, and a vacuum pump. The vacuum pump should be capable of pulling a vacuum of approximately 2 psia or lower at the soil surface. It may be necessary to heat the short section of the pumping manifold from the impermeable sheet to the cold trap to prevent condensation of the contaminants before reaching the cold trap. For example, the pumping manifold 15 may be constructed of metal pipe heated by an electric tracing and thermally insulated.
A side port of the cold trap may be connected to a gas chromatograph, mass spectrometer, or both, or to other monitoring equipment, which can be used to monitor the level of contaminants and/or decomposition products in the vapor. If radioactive contaminants are being removed, the monitoring equipment could be a scintillation counter or Geiger counter. The water vapor and contaminants and/or decomposition products are collected in a separator (not shown) connected to the pumping manifold. The water and contaminant liquids can be separated from the vapors and gases on the basis of density in the separator. Alternatively, the contaminants can be trapped and concentrated on molecular sieve material, on activated carbon, or in a wet scrubber. The contaminants may be recovered and reused, or may be incinerated, or disposed of by other means.
Alternatively, an atomic plasma discharge apparatus (not shown), using radio frequency electric power to dissociate the contaminant gases to their atomic form, could be located in line before the low temperature trap for destruction of the contaminant gases. After dissociation, the atoms recombine into simpler, nonhazardous molecules. Since a plasma discharge normally requires low pressures, this method of disposal has a particular advantage of making use of the low pressures that the contaminant gases are reduced to in the practice of this invention.
Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a side view through a heating section in a plane coincident with an opening in the impermeable sheet. The surface heater 21 is covered with a permeable mat 22, which is covered with an impermeable sheet 23. The surface heater and permeable mat are both permeable to gases. The impermeable sheet is impermeable to gases. A layer of thermal insulation 24 may be included on top of the impermeable sheet.
Once the region is evacuated, the surface heater 21 is pressed against the surface soil by atmospheric pressure exerted on the overlying impermeable sheet. This pressure insures good thermal contact between the heater and the soil. By evacuating from the surface, this process pulls additional moisture from soil below the decontaminated surface layer in order to minimize migration of the contaminants to deeper depths and also ensures good areal confinement of the contaminants.
The surface heater 21 may be a mesh constructed from a conducting metal, such as stainless steel or nichrome, which can tolerate very high temperatures (as high as 1000° C. or more). To be compatible with most power sources, the metal should have sufficient resistivity so that the mesh has a total effective resistance of several ohms. The metal should also have good mechanical strength for durability when dragged over rough terrain. Moreover, the metal should be inexpensive and readily available. Stainless steel may be considered for corrosion resistance. A 325 mesh of 304 stainless steel with wire 0.0014-inch in diameter has been found satisfactory, although other sizes and materials could be used. Depending on the mesh conductivity, the mesh could be made in sections connected together either in series, in parallel, or in series/parallel combinations.
The surface heater may also be constructed of metal wires which loop back and forth and do not form a mesh. For example, the metal wires could be stitched into a ceramic fiber cloth such as wire-reinforced NEXTEL 440 sold by Minnesota Mining Manufacturing Co. of St. Paul, Minn. The surface heater could also consist of metal strips or ribbons or a metallic coating in a defined pattern. Still another possibility is to construct the surface heater from a thin metal foil or sheet with perforations to allow gas flow through the foil or sheet.
Conducting cables 25 connect the surface heater with the power source. The connections from the power source to the surface heater should be made in a manner that results in uniform heating of the surface soil. The cables should be insulated and should be constructed of a nonferromagnetic conductor such as copper or aluminum to reduce magnetic hysteresis losses in the cable. The cables can be brought through sealed holes in the impermeable sheet, or could be brought out from under the impermeable sheet through a shallow trench in the soil later covered with dirt. Avoidance of trenching, however, offers distinct advantages when working in severely contaminated areas. Thermocouples or other temperature monitoring means (not shown) may be placed in the soil under the impermeable sheet and at various locations above and below the surface heater to aid in monitoring and controlling the temperatures.
Above the surface heater, there is placed a highly permeable mat 22 which serves as a conduit for flow beneath the impermeable sheet. The permeable mat may be, for example, a thin layer of high permeability sand or other granular material, such as amorphous aluminosilicate or alumina catalyst, covering the surface heater. The permeable mat should be sufficiently permeable to allow gases which emanate from the soil to pass through essentially vertically. A substantial permeability must remain even after atmospheric pressure pushes the mat against the ground and compresses it. The permeable mat extends areally beyond the surface heater.
The permeable mat may also be a good thermal insulator to protect the impermeable sheet from excessive temperatures and reduce heat losses to the air. In this case, the permeable mat may be constructed of various types of insulation, for example, glass fiber, ceramic fiber such as NEXTEL, mineral wool, or other high temperature thermally insulating material. Alternatively, the permeable mat could be a honeycomb or other repeating structure composed of thermally insulating material.
A preferred configuration for a permeable mat with good thermal insulation properties is a layer of NEXTEL ceramic fiber combined with a layer of corrugated 304 stainless steel knitted wire mesh (0.011 inch mesh×60 density, 2 ply, 6.5 lb/ft2), with about a 1/4-inch crimp. The knitted wire mesh has extremely high gas permeability and can easily support a force of 15 pounds per square inch. Moreover the thermal conductivity of such a knitted wire mesh is low. If the surface heater is operated at temperatures as high as 1000° C., additional insulation will be required. The permeable mat may be composed of multiple layers, including insulating layers, to reduce convection and radiation. Thus, the permeable mat may comprise a layer of NEXTEL ceramic fiber, then a layer of corrugated knitted wire mesh, then a layer of perforated aluminum foil for a radiation reflecting shield, then another layer of NEXTEL, another layer of knitted wire mesh, another aluminum foil shield, etc.
The impermeable sheet 23 is placed above the surface heater and the permeable mat. The impermeable sheet may be constructed of silicone rubber, silicone rubber reinforced with fiberglass, or other high temperature material which is flexible yet impermeable to gas flow, such as VITON, VITON reinforced with fiberglass, or TEFLON reinforced with fiberglass. The impermeable sheet must be able to tolerate temperatures above the condensation temperature of the contaminants. The required thickness of the impermeable sheet will depend on operating conditions; however, typically the thickness will be in the range of about 3 to about 125 mils, although it could be less than or greater than this amount. The thicker the material the more durable; however, the thicker the material the greater the cost and the greater the weight involved in transporting the section. Depending on the natural permeability of the soil, the impermeable sheet extends out a substantial distance greater than the surface heater and permeable mat in all directions in order to provide greater sealing surface for better vacuum. This distance could be, for example, five or ten feet beyond the surface heater in all directions.
For contaminants with extremely high boiling points, the impermeable sheet could be constructed of a thin metal sheet instead of an elastomer. The metal sheet could tolerate higher temperatures than an elastomer sheet and would allow operation at temperatures up to 1500° C. or higher. The thin metal sheet could be, for example, 1/4 mil stainless steel foil.
One or more holes are premanufactured in the impermeable sheet to insert a vacuum pumping manifold connection 26, and possibly for bringing the electrical leads through the sheeting. Depending on the size of the heating section, a plurality of holes for connection to the pumping manifold may be required. As a typical requirement, depending on soil permeability and the vapor conductivity of the permeable mat, one opening per 50 feet square may be required. Reinforcement may be used around the holes to prevent tearing. The holes also may have a rubber gasket 27 surrounding them, sealed to the impermeable sheet with high temperature silicone adhesives, which will also be used for sealing the electrical connections. Thermocouples or other temperature monitoring means (not shown) may be placed on or under the impermeable sheet to aid in controlling the temperature of the impermeable sheet.
The impermeable sheet may also have a layer of thermal insulation 24 placed above it to prevent heat losses and to insure that the vaporized contaminants do not condense under the impermeable sheet. The thermal insulation could be, for example, mineral or cotton wool, glass wool or fiberglass, polystyrene foam, or aluminized mylar ("superinsulation"). The thickness of this layer of thermal insulation is selected to keep the impermeable sheet at a temperature above the condensation temperature of the contaminants and their decomposition products, but low enough to prevent the impermeable sheet from melting or degrading. The thermal insulation may be, for example, up to 1 inch thick or more. The insulation may be in sections or bats for easier deployment. With only mild heating, it may be possible to eliminate the thermal insulation.
The surface heater, permeable mat, thermal insulation, and impermeable sheet could be constructed in one piece, rather than in separate layers as described above.
In operation, the surface heater is laid out over the soil in the pattern desired. Next the permeable mat is laid over the heater. The permeable mat may or may not be a thermal insulator. Layers of thermal insulation may be included in the permeable mat. Finally, the impermeable sheet is laid over the permeable mat. Additional thermal insulation may be added above the impermeable sheet. The vacuum connections are then made at the openings in the impermeable sheet, and the electrical connections are made to the surface heater.
Before applying electrical heat to raise the soil temperature, a vacuum is created in the soil under the impermeable sheet. By first pulling moisture and contaminants toward the surface, the risk of spreading the contamination deeper while heating is greatly reduced.
A vacuum is applied through the pumping manifold connected to the impermeable sheet. The soil surface is sealed as the impermeable sheet is pressed against the permeable mat and/or insulation layer and surface heater, and toward the soil by the atmospheric pressure. Air, moisture, and contaminants in the soil below the surface heater will be pulled to the surface by the applied vacuum. The water vapor, contaminants and/or decomposition products collected by the pumping manifold flow to the cold trap, separator, and vacuum pump for collection, separation and disposal or reuse.
While applying a vacuum to the soil, the temperature of the soil is increased by applying heat with the surface heater. The soil is heated to the extent necessary to effectively remove and/or decompose the contaminants. A thermal front moves downward through the soil by thermal conduction, thereby resulting in vaporization of water and contaminants present in the soil.
If the contaminants present are subject to thermal decomposition, and at least a portion of the soil is heated to a temperature at or above the decomposition temperature, then some portion of the contaminants will decompose into decomposition products. The decomposition may occur in the soil, and/or as the vapors pass through the electric surface heater. The surface heater can reach temperatures as high as 1000° C. or more, if necessary. At these temperatures, the hydrocarbon contaminants will decompose into simpler species such as carbon dioxide and water (and hydrogen chloride if chlorinated hydrocarbons are present). Contaminants which do not decompose as they pass through the soil may decompose as they pass through the surface heater. Also, as an alternative, a layer of catalyst, such as amorphous aluminosilicate powder or alumina, can be placed above the surface heater to accelerate the decomposition.
FIG. 3 shows the calculated temperature at the soil surface after surface heating at various constant heat fluxes for a soil with a uniform thermal conductivity of 0.152 BTU/hr-°F.-ft and a thermal diffusivity of 0.0077 ft2 /hr. If heating is initiated at a high heat flux, such as 800 watts/ft2, the heat flux must be reduced after a few hours to avoid overheating at the surface. For routine, continuous operations, a heat flux of about 200 watts/ft2 would provide uniform heating of the soil to target temperatures without overheating at the soil surface.
FIG. 4 shows the calculated fractional temperature rise versus depth for various heating times resulting from heating the same soil and maintaining a constant surface temperature. With longer heating times, the thermal front would move deeper into the soil. For example, if the surface heater is maintained at 1000° C., the top foot of soil will reach a temperature of at least 500° C. within 6 days, and a contaminant in the top foot of soil with a boiling point of 500° C. or less will be vaporized within 6 days.
A vacuum is maintained throughout the heating period, and for a sufficient time afterward to avoid contaminant losses or dispersion. The vacuum will cause vaporization or boiling of the water and contaminants to occur at a lower temperature than the normal boiling point at atmospheric pressure. At the same time, the high boiling point contaminants will be removed by steam distillation in the presence of water vapor at a temperature well below the normal boiling point of the contaminants. This will occur for all contaminants that are nearly immiscible in water, since the boiling point of the mixture of two immiscible fluids will always be less than the boiling point of either component.
This is made more clear by considering, as an example, the vapor pressure of a mixture of water and n-dodecane (a typical hydrocarbon), compared with that of water and n-dodecane each alone as a function of temperature. N-dodecane alone has a normal boiling point of 216° C. and a solubility in water of 4-5 parts per billion. The boiling point of the mixture of water and n-dodecane at atmospheric pressure is just below the boiling point of water, about 99° C. Thus the temperature of the soil does not have to be raised to 216° C. to remove the n-dodecane, but rather to more modest temperatures, especially if the pressure is reduced. Contaminants whose boiling points are well beyond 300° C. can thus be removed by this process of steam distillation below the boiling point of the contaminant.
If the soil contains a large amount of free water, it may be economically attractive to start by pumping through the manifold to remove some of the free water, followed by surface heating. This saves the electrical energy required to vaporize the excess free water from the soil. When the initial moisture content is insufficient, or removed by heating, it may be necessary to add water to enhance steam distillation. The process may consist of repetitive cycles of adding water, heating to create steam distillation, adding more water, reheating, etc. This repetition can result in still lower levels of residual contamination.
In an additional method of practicing this invention, once the heating section, pumping manifold, and vacuum collection system are in place, and a section is evacuated and heated, various gases and liquids can be supplied to the soil through openings in the impermeable sheet. Such materials can be supplied to the soil by, for example, temporarily shutting off the vacuum pump, supplying the gas or liquid through an opening in the impermeable sheet, and then allowing the vacuum built up within the soil to pull the gas or liquid into the soil. Alternatively, if the soil were dried by heating, a liquid could be supplied in a similar fashion, and capillary forces present in the soil would draw the liquid into the soil.
Alternatively, liquids could be introduced directly into the soil at the periphery of the impermeable sheet. The addition of water at the periphery could also be used to reduce the soil permeability to air beyond the edge of the impermeable sheet. In another alternative, shallow injection wells could be installed around the periphery of the heated section for injection of gases or liquids. These fluids could then be pulled into the contaminated soil under the surface heater by the vacuum pump. Thus, for example, water, oxygen, hydrogen peroxide, superheated steam, alkalis or acids or other reactants could be added to the soil to further remove or decompose the contaminants, as required. This could be done in conjunction with additional surface heating to accelerate the reaction kinetics for the decomposition of the contaminants.
One of the advantages of the reduced pressure vaporization in this invention is the reduction in steam required to remove a given amount of contaminant. For example, suppose the soil contaminant is n-dodecane (C12 H22, Molecular Weight=166), the soil temperature is heated to 100° C. and the pressure is atmospheric pressure (760 mm Hg). The vapor pressure of n-dodecane at this temperature is 18.5 mm Hg. The quantity of n-dodecane in 1 lb-mole of the vapor is 18.5 mm/760 mm=0.0243 lb-mole, or 0.0243×166=4.04 lb. The quantity of water (Molecular Weight=18) is 0.9757 lb-mole, or 0.9757×18=17.56 lb. Thus the number of pounds of steam used to produce one pound of n-dodecane is 17.56/4.04=4.35.
For comparison, assume the same temperature as before, but a pressure reduced to 50 mm Hg by evacuating through the flexible sheet. The quantity of n-dodecane in the vapor is now 18.5 mm/50 mm=0.370 lb-mole, or 61.4 lb. The quantity of water is 0.630 lb-mole, or 11.34 lb. Thus the amount of steam used to produce one pound of n-dodecane is 11.34/61.4=0.18 lbs.
Because the steam requirements are reduced, there is a substantial energy savings in heat of vaporization relative to operating the process near atmospheric pressure. Moreover, because the amount of steam required per quantity of contaminant is reduced, the decontamination process can be applied in soils which have a low in-situ moisture content or a high contaminant level relative to moisture content. Unlike other decontamination processes that rely on electrical conduction through the soil, this invention relies only on thermal conduction through the soil. It can therefore be applied in completely dry soils and at temperatures beyond the boiling point of water. Moreover, thermal conduction results in a more uniform heating of the soil than electrical conduction because there is substantially less variation and less heterogeneity in the thermal conductivity of soils than there is in the electrical conductivity of soils.
Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown the cost in dollars per ton to raise soil to various final temperatures as a function of moisture content of the soil. The assumptions are: (a) electrical costs of $0.055 per KWh; (b) initial temperature of 21° C.; and (c) 75% energy contained in the region to be decontaminated. For soil with original moisture content of 5%, the electrical cost will be only about $6.50/ton to raise the temperature to 250° C. The capital costs and other operating costs are also substantially lower than other decontamination processes.
Various modifications of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description. Such modifications are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (26)

What is claimed is:
1. A method for remediation and decontamination of surface and near-surface soils comprising:
placing an electric surface heater on the soil surface;
placing a permeable mat above the surface heater;
placing an impermeable sheet above the permeable mat;
applying a vacuum to the soil through an opening in the impermeable sheet;
heating the soil by thermal conduction with the surface heater;
vaporizing the contaminants in the soil; and
recovering contaminants from the soil through a vacuum collection system.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the vaporization of contaminants occurs at a temperature below the normal boiling points of the contaminants.
3. The method of claim 1, comprising the additional step of applying a vacuum to the soil to remove excess water from the soil before heating the soil.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the surface heater is a mesh of electrically conductive wires.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the soil is heated to a temperature sufficient to decompose the contaminants into decomposition products, and wherein the decomposition products, and any contaminants not decomposed, are recovered through the vacuum collection system.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein the surface heater is operated at a temperature sufficient to decompose the contaminants into decomposition products as they pass through the heater, and wherein the decomposition products, and any contaminants not decomposed, are recovered through the vacuum collection system.
7. The method of claim 6 comprising the additional step of placing a layer of catalyst between the surface heater and the permeable mat to accelerate the decomposition of contaminants.
8. The method of claim 1, comprising the additional step of supplying a decomposition reactant to the soil to decompose the contaminants into decomposition products, and wherein the decomposition products, and any contaminants not decomposed, are recovered through the vacuum collection system.
9. A method for remediation and decontamination of surface and near-surface soils comprising:
placing an electric surface heater on the soil surface;
placing a permeable mat above the surface heater;
placing a thermal insulation layer above the permeable mat;
placing an impermeable sheet above the thermal insulation layer;
applying a vacuum to the soil through an opening in the impermeable sheet;
heating the soil by thermal conduction with the surface heater;
vaporizing contaminants in the soil; and
recovering the contaminants from the soil through a vacuum collection system.
10. The method of claim 9 wherein the vaporization of contaminants occurs at a temperature below the normal boiling points of the contaminants.
11. The method of claim 9, comprising the additional step of applying a vacuum to the soil to remove excess water from the soil before heating the soil.
12. The method of claim 9, wherein the surface heater is a mesh of electrically conductive wires.
13. The method of claim 9 wherein the soil is heated to a temperature sufficient to decompose the contaminants into decomposition products, and wherein the decomposition products, and any contaminants not decomposed, are recovered through the vacuum collection system.
14. The method of claim 13, comprising the additional step of supplying a decomposition reactant to the soil to decompose the contaminants into decomposition products, and wherein the decomposition products, and any contaminants not decomposed, are recovered through the vacuum collection system.
15. The method of claim 9 wherein the surface heater is operated at a temperature sufficient to decompose the contaminants into decomposition products as they pass through the heater, and wherein the decomposition products, and any contaminants not decomposed, are recovered through the vacuum collection system.
16. The method of claim 15 comprising the additional step of placing a layer of catalyst between the surface heater and the permeable mat to accelerate the decomposition of contaminants.
17. The method of claim 9, comprising the additional step of supplying a decomposition reactant to the soil to decompose the contaminants into decomposition products, and wherein the decomposition products, and any contaminants not decomposed, are recovered through the vacuum collection system.
18. A method for remediation and decontamination of surface and near-surface soils comprising:
placing an electric surface heater on the soil surface;
placing a permeable mat above the surface heater;
placing a thermal insulation layer above the permeable mat;
placing an impermeable sheet above the thermal insulation layer;
applying a vacuum to the soil through an opening in the impermeable sheet;
heating the soil by thermal conduction with the surface heater to a temperature sufficient to decompose at least some of the contaminants into decomposition products;
vaporizing contaminants in the soil that are not decomposed by heating; and
recovering the decomposition products, and any contaminants not decomposed, from the soil through a vacuum collection system.
19. The method of claim 18 comprising the additional step of placing a thermal insulation layer above the impermeable sheet.
20. A system for remediation and decontamination of surface and near-surface soils comprising:
an electric surface heater on the soil surface;
a permeable mat above the surface heater;
an impermeable sheet above the permeable mat; and
a vacuum collection system for recovering contaminants from the soil through an opening in the impermeable sheet.
21. The system of claim 20, wherein the surface heater is a mesh of electrically conductive wires.
22. The system of claim 20 comprising a layer of catalyst between the surface heater and the permeable mat to accelerate the decomposition of contaminants.
23. A system for remediation and decontamination of surface and near-surface soils comprising:
an electric surface heater on the soil surface;
a permeable mat above the surface heater;
a thermal insulation layer above the permeable mat;
an impermeable sheet above the thermal insulation layer; and
a vacuum collection system for recovering contaminants from the soil through an opening in the impermeable sheet.
24. The system of claim 23, wherein the surface heater is a mesh of electrically conductive wires.
25. The system of claim 23 comprising a layer of catalyst between the surface heater and the permeable mat to accelerate the decomposition of contaminants.
26. The system of claim 23 comprising a thermal insulation layer above the impermeable sheet.
US07/427,418 1989-10-27 1989-10-27 Vacuum method for removing soil contamination utilizing surface electrical heating Expired - Lifetime US4984594A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US07/427,418 US4984594A (en) 1989-10-27 1989-10-27 Vacuum method for removing soil contamination utilizing surface electrical heating

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US07/427,418 US4984594A (en) 1989-10-27 1989-10-27 Vacuum method for removing soil contamination utilizing surface electrical heating

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US4984594A true US4984594A (en) 1991-01-15

Family

ID=23694793

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US07/427,418 Expired - Lifetime US4984594A (en) 1989-10-27 1989-10-27 Vacuum method for removing soil contamination utilizing surface electrical heating

Country Status (1)

Country Link
US (1) US4984594A (en)

Cited By (120)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5114497A (en) * 1991-03-26 1992-05-19 Shell Oil Company Soil decontamination
US5169263A (en) * 1991-05-23 1992-12-08 Shell Oil Company In-situ soil decontamination process with sub-surface vapor recovery
WO1993001010A1 (en) * 1991-07-05 1993-01-21 Malot, James, J. Electro-vac decontamination process
US5190405A (en) * 1990-12-14 1993-03-02 Shell Oil Company Vacuum method for removing soil contaminants utilizing thermal conduction heating
US5193934A (en) * 1991-05-23 1993-03-16 Shell Oil Company In-situ thermal desorption of contaminated surface soil
US5206067A (en) * 1992-01-28 1993-04-27 Bonzo Kevin M Landfill gas capping liner system
US5209604A (en) * 1991-04-09 1993-05-11 Shell Oil Company Soil decontamination
US5229583A (en) * 1992-09-28 1993-07-20 Shell Oil Company Surface heating blanket for soil remediation
US5233164A (en) * 1991-11-27 1993-08-03 Shell Oil Company Modified heater for in situ soil heating
US5244310A (en) * 1991-10-04 1993-09-14 Shell Oil Company In-situ soil heating press/vapor extraction system
WO1993018866A1 (en) * 1992-03-18 1993-09-30 Bonnenberg + Drescher Ingenieurgesellschaft Mbh Soil decontaminating process
US5265978A (en) * 1992-08-20 1993-11-30 Tuboscope Vetco International, Inc. Method for in situ cleaning of contaminated soil
US5271693A (en) * 1992-10-09 1993-12-21 Shell Oil Company Enhanced deep soil vapor extraction process and apparatus for removing contaminants trapped in or below the water table
FR2694314A1 (en) * 1992-07-29 1994-02-04 Sol Cie Cleaning method for polluted soils - uses partial vacuum to draw water through soils to decontaminate them
US5295763A (en) * 1992-06-30 1994-03-22 Chambers Development Co., Inc. Method for controlling gas migration from a landfill
US5325605A (en) * 1992-10-14 1994-07-05 Carew E Bayne Method and apparatus for waste treatment
US5447389A (en) * 1993-01-15 1995-09-05 Abeltech Incorporated Insulation system for soil
US5449889A (en) * 1992-10-30 1995-09-12 E. I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company Apparatus, system and method for dielectrically heating a medium using microwave energy
US5540846A (en) * 1992-11-06 1996-07-30 Andritz-Patentverwaltungs-Gesellschaft M.B.H. Process for filtering solid-liquid mixtures within an enclosed pressure space
US5553189A (en) * 1994-10-18 1996-09-03 Shell Oil Company Radiant plate heater for treatment of contaminated surfaces
US5622641A (en) * 1994-07-05 1997-04-22 General Electriccompany Method for in-situ reduction of PCB-like contaminants from concrete
US5660500A (en) * 1995-12-15 1997-08-26 Shell Oil Company Enhanced deep soil vapor extraction process and apparatus utilizing sheet metal pilings
US5674424A (en) * 1995-02-16 1997-10-07 General Electric Company Thermal heating blanket in-situ thermal desorption for remediation of hydrocarbon-contaminated soil
US5681130A (en) * 1996-02-20 1997-10-28 Regents Of The University Of California Active cooling-based surface confinement system for thermal soil treatment
US5689038A (en) * 1996-06-28 1997-11-18 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army Decontamination of chemical warfare agents using activated aluminum oxide
US5756304A (en) * 1995-07-14 1998-05-26 Molecular Solutions Screening of microorganisms for bioremediation
US5769569A (en) * 1996-06-18 1998-06-23 Southern California Gas Company In-situ thermal desorption of heavy hydrocarbons in vadose zone
US5836718A (en) * 1997-01-13 1998-11-17 Price; Philip A. Method and apparatus for ex situ cleaning of contaminated soil
WO1999028560A1 (en) * 1997-12-01 1999-06-10 Seec, Inc. Ground thawing apparatus and method
US6276872B1 (en) * 1999-10-22 2001-08-21 Envirosolve Corporation Low temperature heat-assisted evaporation impoundment
US6296815B1 (en) 1998-02-27 2001-10-02 Shell Oil Company Apparatus for exsitu thermal remediation
US20020003988A1 (en) * 1997-05-20 2002-01-10 Thomas Mikus Remediation method
US20020013275A1 (en) * 1992-09-25 2002-01-31 Neorx Corporation Therapeutic inhibitor of vascular smooth muscle cells
US20020040778A1 (en) * 2000-04-24 2002-04-11 Wellington Scott Lee In situ thermal processing of a hydrocarbon containing formation with a selected hydrogen content
US6419423B1 (en) * 1998-10-08 2002-07-16 University Of Texas System Method for remediating near-surface contaminated soil
US6485232B1 (en) 2000-04-14 2002-11-26 Board Of Regents, The University Of Texas System Low cost, self regulating heater for use in an in situ thermal desorption soil remediation system
WO2003035987A2 (en) 2001-10-24 2003-05-01 Shell Oil Company Isolation of soil with a frozen barrier prior to conductive thermal treatment of the soil
WO2003035290A1 (en) * 2001-10-24 2003-05-01 Shell Internationale Research Maatschappij B.V. Thermally enhanced soil decontamination method
US6588504B2 (en) 2000-04-24 2003-07-08 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal processing of a coal formation to produce nitrogen and/or sulfur containing formation fluids
US20030137181A1 (en) * 2001-04-24 2003-07-24 Wellington Scott Lee In situ thermal processing of an oil shale formation to produce hydrocarbons having a selected carbon number range
WO2003074204A1 (en) * 2002-03-06 2003-09-12 Nippon Steel Corporation Method of treating contaminated soil for converting the soil to harmless soil and applicator
US20030173082A1 (en) * 2001-10-24 2003-09-18 Vinegar Harold J. In situ thermal processing of a heavy oil diatomite formation
US20030173072A1 (en) * 2001-10-24 2003-09-18 Vinegar Harold J. Forming openings in a hydrocarbon containing formation using magnetic tracking
US20030178191A1 (en) * 2000-04-24 2003-09-25 Maher Kevin Albert In situ recovery from a kerogen and liquid hydrocarbon containing formation
US6632047B2 (en) 2000-04-14 2003-10-14 Board Of Regents, The University Of Texas System Heater element for use in an in situ thermal desorption soil remediation system
US20030192693A1 (en) * 2001-10-24 2003-10-16 Wellington Scott Lee In situ thermal processing of a hydrocarbon containing formation to produce heated fluids
US20040020642A1 (en) * 2001-10-24 2004-02-05 Vinegar Harold J. In situ recovery from a hydrocarbon containing formation using conductor-in-conduit heat sources with an electrically conductive material in the overburden
US6698515B2 (en) 2000-04-24 2004-03-02 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal processing of a coal formation using a relatively slow heating rate
US6715548B2 (en) 2000-04-24 2004-04-06 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal processing of a hydrocarbon containing formation to produce nitrogen containing formation fluids
US6715546B2 (en) 2000-04-24 2004-04-06 Shell Oil Company In situ production of synthesis gas from a hydrocarbon containing formation through a heat source wellbore
US20040120771A1 (en) * 2001-10-24 2004-06-24 Vinegar Harold J. Soil remediation of mercury contamination
US20040140095A1 (en) * 2002-10-24 2004-07-22 Vinegar Harold J. Staged and/or patterned heating during in situ thermal processing of a hydrocarbon containing formation
US20040219223A1 (en) * 1997-10-10 2004-11-04 Scimed Life Systems, Inc. Therapeutic inhibitor of vascular smooth muscle cells
US20040228690A1 (en) * 2003-05-15 2004-11-18 Stegemeier George L. Soil remediation using heated vapors
US20040228689A1 (en) * 2003-05-15 2004-11-18 Stegemeier George L. Soil remediation with heated soil
US20040228688A1 (en) * 2003-05-15 2004-11-18 Stegemeier George L. Remediation of soil piles using central equipment
US6824328B1 (en) 2000-04-14 2004-11-30 Board Of Regents, The University Of Texas System Vapor collection and treatment of off-gas from an in-situ thermal desorption soil remediation
US20050106210A1 (en) * 1995-04-19 2005-05-19 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Medical device with drug
US20050208200A1 (en) * 1995-04-19 2005-09-22 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Drug coating with topcoat
US20060089705A1 (en) * 1995-04-19 2006-04-27 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Drug release coated stent
US20060122690A1 (en) * 2001-05-02 2006-06-08 Inflow Dynnamics Stent device and method
US20060242900A1 (en) * 2005-01-05 2006-11-02 Lovelace Reginald B Nematode extermination in place using heat blankets
US20070095537A1 (en) * 2005-10-24 2007-05-03 Vinegar Harold J Solution mining dawsonite from hydrocarbon containing formations with a chelating agent
US20070134314A1 (en) * 1995-02-15 2007-06-14 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Therapeutic inhibitor of vascular smooth muscle cells
US20070284108A1 (en) * 2006-04-21 2007-12-13 Roes Augustinus W M Compositions produced using an in situ heat treatment process
US20080080934A1 (en) * 2006-09-29 2008-04-03 Eliott Nelson Duffney Non-intrusive vapor collection apparatus
WO2008073134A1 (en) * 2006-12-15 2008-06-19 Roger Miller Sediment and sludge dewatering by vacuum bag method
US20080190816A1 (en) * 2007-02-09 2008-08-14 Todd Dana Methods of recovering hydrocarbons from hydrocarbonaceous material with reduced non-carbonaceous leachate and co2 and associated systems
US20080190813A1 (en) * 2007-02-09 2008-08-14 Todd Dana Methods of recovering hydrocarbons from water-containing hydrocarbonaceous material using a constructed infrastructure and associated systems
US20080236831A1 (en) * 2006-10-20 2008-10-02 Chia-Fu Hsu Condensing vaporized water in situ to treat tar sands formations
US7454847B1 (en) 2005-12-30 2008-11-25 Miller Roger G Sediment and sludge dewatering by vacuum bag method
US20090090158A1 (en) * 2007-04-20 2009-04-09 Ian Alexander Davidson Wellbore manufacturing processes for in situ heat treatment processes
US20090194286A1 (en) * 2007-10-19 2009-08-06 Stanley Leroy Mason Multi-step heater deployment in a subsurface formation
US20090250380A1 (en) * 2008-02-08 2009-10-08 Todd Dana Methods of transporting heavy hydrocarbons
US20090272536A1 (en) * 2008-04-18 2009-11-05 David Booth Burns Heater connections in mines and tunnels for use in treating subsurface hydrocarbon containing formations
US20100155070A1 (en) * 2008-10-13 2010-06-24 Augustinus Wilhelmus Maria Roes Organonitrogen compounds used in treating hydrocarbon containing formations
US20100181066A1 (en) * 2003-04-24 2010-07-22 Shell Oil Company Thermal processes for subsurface formations
US20100200464A1 (en) * 2009-02-12 2010-08-12 Todd Dana Vapor collection and barrier systems for encapsulated control infrastructures
US20100200467A1 (en) * 2009-02-12 2010-08-12 Todd Dana Methods of recovering hydrocarbons from hydrocarbonaceous material using a constructed infrastructure and associated systems maintained under positive pressure
US20100200466A1 (en) * 2009-02-12 2010-08-12 Todd Dana Methods of recovering minerals from hydrocarbonaceous material using a constructed infrastructure and associated systems
US20100200465A1 (en) * 2009-02-12 2010-08-12 Todd Dana Carbon management and sequestration from encapsulated control infrastructures
US20100200468A1 (en) * 2009-02-12 2010-08-12 Todd Dana Convective heat systems for recovery of hydrocarbons from encapsulated permeability control infrastructures
US20100206518A1 (en) * 2009-02-12 2010-08-19 Patten James W Corrugated heating conduit and method of using in thermal expansion and subsidence mitigation
US20100206410A1 (en) * 2009-02-12 2010-08-19 Patten James W Articulated conduit linkage system
US20100236790A1 (en) * 2008-09-09 2010-09-23 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Control of well tools utilizing downhole pumps
US20100237698A1 (en) * 2008-09-09 2010-09-23 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Sneak path eliminator for diode multiplexed control of downhole well tools
US7831134B2 (en) 2005-04-22 2010-11-09 Shell Oil Company Grouped exposed metal heaters
US20110073274A1 (en) * 2009-09-30 2011-03-31 Ics Group Inc. Modular climate change tarp system
CN102029286A (en) * 2010-11-15 2011-04-27 中国科学院武汉岩土力学研究所 Heterotopic repair method for soil polluted by volatile organic compounds and special device
US20110094120A1 (en) * 2009-10-28 2011-04-28 The Dow Chemical Company Device to dry catalyst roaster conveyor belt and method of using same
US20110138649A1 (en) * 2009-12-16 2011-06-16 Red Leaf Resources, Inc. Method For The Removal And Condensation Of Vapors
US20110210609A1 (en) * 2008-09-09 2011-09-01 Smithson Mitchell C Sneak path eliminator for diode multiplexed control of downhole well tools
US8327932B2 (en) 2009-04-10 2012-12-11 Shell Oil Company Recovering energy from a subsurface formation
US8355623B2 (en) 2004-04-23 2013-01-15 Shell Oil Company Temperature limited heaters with high power factors
US8365478B2 (en) 2009-02-12 2013-02-05 Red Leaf Resources, Inc. Intermediate vapor collection within encapsulated control infrastructures
US8476786B2 (en) 2010-06-21 2013-07-02 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Systems and methods for isolating current flow to well loads
US8616290B2 (en) 2010-04-29 2013-12-31 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Method and apparatus for controlling fluid flow using movable flow diverter assembly
US8631866B2 (en) 2010-04-09 2014-01-21 Shell Oil Company Leak detection in circulated fluid systems for heating subsurface formations
CN103551373A (en) * 2013-11-21 2014-02-05 华北电力大学 System and method for removing organic pollutants in soil employing microwave-assisted soil vapor extraction (SVE)
US8657017B2 (en) 2009-08-18 2014-02-25 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Method and apparatus for autonomous downhole fluid selection with pathway dependent resistance system
US8701769B2 (en) 2010-04-09 2014-04-22 Shell Oil Company Methods for treating hydrocarbon formations based on geology
US8820406B2 (en) 2010-04-09 2014-09-02 Shell Oil Company Electrodes for electrical current flow heating of subsurface formations with conductive material in wellbore
US20150041409A1 (en) * 2013-08-09 2015-02-12 Aquablok, Ltd. Reactive Treatment Cell and Systems For Environmental Remediation
US8991506B2 (en) 2011-10-31 2015-03-31 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Autonomous fluid control device having a movable valve plate for downhole fluid selection
US9016370B2 (en) 2011-04-08 2015-04-28 Shell Oil Company Partial solution mining of hydrocarbon containing layers prior to in situ heat treatment
US9033042B2 (en) 2010-04-09 2015-05-19 Shell Oil Company Forming bitumen barriers in subsurface hydrocarbon formations
US9127526B2 (en) 2012-12-03 2015-09-08 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Fast pressure protection system and method
US9242190B2 (en) 2009-12-03 2016-01-26 Red Leaf Resources, Inc. Methods and systems for removing fines from hydrocarbon-containing fluids
US9260952B2 (en) 2009-08-18 2016-02-16 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Method and apparatus for controlling fluid flow in an autonomous valve using a sticky switch
US9291032B2 (en) 2011-10-31 2016-03-22 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Autonomous fluid control device having a reciprocating valve for downhole fluid selection
US9309755B2 (en) 2011-10-07 2016-04-12 Shell Oil Company Thermal expansion accommodation for circulated fluid systems used to heat subsurface formations
US9404349B2 (en) 2012-10-22 2016-08-02 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Autonomous fluid control system having a fluid diode
CN106051345A (en) * 2016-05-24 2016-10-26 北京建工环境修复股份有限公司 Pipeline and pipeline system
US9695654B2 (en) 2012-12-03 2017-07-04 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Wellhead flowback control system and method
US10047594B2 (en) 2012-01-23 2018-08-14 Genie Ip B.V. Heater pattern for in situ thermal processing of a subsurface hydrocarbon containing formation
US10137486B1 (en) * 2018-02-27 2018-11-27 Chevron U.S.A. Inc. Systems and methods for thermal treatment of contaminated material
US10201042B1 (en) 2018-01-19 2019-02-05 Trs Group, Inc. Flexible helical heater
US10675664B2 (en) 2018-01-19 2020-06-09 Trs Group, Inc. PFAS remediation method and system
CN111318561A (en) * 2020-03-02 2020-06-23 南京霄祥工程技术有限公司 Contaminated soil remediation method and system
US11642709B1 (en) 2021-03-04 2023-05-09 Trs Group, Inc. Optimized flux ERH electrode

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4670634A (en) * 1985-04-05 1987-06-02 Iit Research Institute In situ decontamination of spills and landfills by radio frequency heating
US4774974A (en) * 1985-04-10 1988-10-04 Teter Bruce W System for removing asbestos from structures
US4807318A (en) * 1986-10-21 1989-02-28 Coxwold (Proprietary) Limited Suction operated cleaner

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4670634A (en) * 1985-04-05 1987-06-02 Iit Research Institute In situ decontamination of spills and landfills by radio frequency heating
US4774974A (en) * 1985-04-10 1988-10-04 Teter Bruce W System for removing asbestos from structures
US4807318A (en) * 1986-10-21 1989-02-28 Coxwold (Proprietary) Limited Suction operated cleaner

Non-Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
U.S. News and World Report, Feb. 6, 1989, pp. 47 49, Superfund, Superflop. *
U.S. News and World Report, Feb. 6, 1989, pp. 47-49, Superfund, Superflop.

Cited By (338)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5190405A (en) * 1990-12-14 1993-03-02 Shell Oil Company Vacuum method for removing soil contaminants utilizing thermal conduction heating
US5114497A (en) * 1991-03-26 1992-05-19 Shell Oil Company Soil decontamination
US5209604A (en) * 1991-04-09 1993-05-11 Shell Oil Company Soil decontamination
US5169263A (en) * 1991-05-23 1992-12-08 Shell Oil Company In-situ soil decontamination process with sub-surface vapor recovery
US5193934A (en) * 1991-05-23 1993-03-16 Shell Oil Company In-situ thermal desorption of contaminated surface soil
WO1993001010A1 (en) * 1991-07-05 1993-01-21 Malot, James, J. Electro-vac decontamination process
US5244310A (en) * 1991-10-04 1993-09-14 Shell Oil Company In-situ soil heating press/vapor extraction system
US5233164A (en) * 1991-11-27 1993-08-03 Shell Oil Company Modified heater for in situ soil heating
US5206067A (en) * 1992-01-28 1993-04-27 Bonzo Kevin M Landfill gas capping liner system
WO1993018866A1 (en) * 1992-03-18 1993-09-30 Bonnenberg + Drescher Ingenieurgesellschaft Mbh Soil decontaminating process
US5295763A (en) * 1992-06-30 1994-03-22 Chambers Development Co., Inc. Method for controlling gas migration from a landfill
EP0648550A1 (en) * 1992-07-29 1995-04-19 Compagnie Du Sol Method and device for treating polluted soils
FR2694314A1 (en) * 1992-07-29 1994-02-04 Sol Cie Cleaning method for polluted soils - uses partial vacuum to draw water through soils to decontaminate them
US5265978A (en) * 1992-08-20 1993-11-30 Tuboscope Vetco International, Inc. Method for in situ cleaning of contaminated soil
US20020013275A1 (en) * 1992-09-25 2002-01-31 Neorx Corporation Therapeutic inhibitor of vascular smooth muscle cells
US8067022B2 (en) 1992-09-25 2011-11-29 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Therapeutic inhibitor of vascular smooth muscle cells
US5229583A (en) * 1992-09-28 1993-07-20 Shell Oil Company Surface heating blanket for soil remediation
US5271693A (en) * 1992-10-09 1993-12-21 Shell Oil Company Enhanced deep soil vapor extraction process and apparatus for removing contaminants trapped in or below the water table
US5325605A (en) * 1992-10-14 1994-07-05 Carew E Bayne Method and apparatus for waste treatment
US5449889A (en) * 1992-10-30 1995-09-12 E. I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company Apparatus, system and method for dielectrically heating a medium using microwave energy
US5540846A (en) * 1992-11-06 1996-07-30 Andritz-Patentverwaltungs-Gesellschaft M.B.H. Process for filtering solid-liquid mixtures within an enclosed pressure space
US5707512A (en) * 1992-11-06 1998-01-13 Patentverwaltungs-Gesellschaft M.B.H. Apparatus for the separation of solid-liquid mixtures
US5447389A (en) * 1993-01-15 1995-09-05 Abeltech Incorporated Insulation system for soil
US5622641A (en) * 1994-07-05 1997-04-22 General Electriccompany Method for in-situ reduction of PCB-like contaminants from concrete
US5553189A (en) * 1994-10-18 1996-09-03 Shell Oil Company Radiant plate heater for treatment of contaminated surfaces
US8158670B2 (en) 1995-02-15 2012-04-17 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Therapeutic inhibitor of vascular smooth muscle cells
US8097642B2 (en) 1995-02-15 2012-01-17 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Therapeutic inhibitor of vascular smooth muscle cells
US20070134314A1 (en) * 1995-02-15 2007-06-14 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Therapeutic inhibitor of vascular smooth muscle cells
US5674424A (en) * 1995-02-16 1997-10-07 General Electric Company Thermal heating blanket in-situ thermal desorption for remediation of hydrocarbon-contaminated soil
US20050106210A1 (en) * 1995-04-19 2005-05-19 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Medical device with drug
US20060089705A1 (en) * 1995-04-19 2006-04-27 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Drug release coated stent
US20050208200A1 (en) * 1995-04-19 2005-09-22 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Drug coating with topcoat
US5756304A (en) * 1995-07-14 1998-05-26 Molecular Solutions Screening of microorganisms for bioremediation
US5660500A (en) * 1995-12-15 1997-08-26 Shell Oil Company Enhanced deep soil vapor extraction process and apparatus utilizing sheet metal pilings
US5681130A (en) * 1996-02-20 1997-10-28 Regents Of The University Of California Active cooling-based surface confinement system for thermal soil treatment
US5769569A (en) * 1996-06-18 1998-06-23 Southern California Gas Company In-situ thermal desorption of heavy hydrocarbons in vadose zone
US5689038A (en) * 1996-06-28 1997-11-18 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army Decontamination of chemical warfare agents using activated aluminum oxide
US5836718A (en) * 1997-01-13 1998-11-17 Price; Philip A. Method and apparatus for ex situ cleaning of contaminated soil
US20020003988A1 (en) * 1997-05-20 2002-01-10 Thomas Mikus Remediation method
US20040219223A1 (en) * 1997-10-10 2004-11-04 Scimed Life Systems, Inc. Therapeutic inhibitor of vascular smooth muscle cells
WO1999028560A1 (en) * 1997-12-01 1999-06-10 Seec, Inc. Ground thawing apparatus and method
US6296815B1 (en) 1998-02-27 2001-10-02 Shell Oil Company Apparatus for exsitu thermal remediation
US6419423B1 (en) * 1998-10-08 2002-07-16 University Of Texas System Method for remediating near-surface contaminated soil
US6276872B1 (en) * 1999-10-22 2001-08-21 Envirosolve Corporation Low temperature heat-assisted evaporation impoundment
US6485232B1 (en) 2000-04-14 2002-11-26 Board Of Regents, The University Of Texas System Low cost, self regulating heater for use in an in situ thermal desorption soil remediation system
US6632047B2 (en) 2000-04-14 2003-10-14 Board Of Regents, The University Of Texas System Heater element for use in an in situ thermal desorption soil remediation system
US6824328B1 (en) 2000-04-14 2004-11-30 Board Of Regents, The University Of Texas System Vapor collection and treatment of off-gas from an in-situ thermal desorption soil remediation
US6742588B2 (en) 2000-04-24 2004-06-01 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal processing of a hydrocarbon containing formation to produce formation fluids having a relatively low olefin content
US6729397B2 (en) 2000-04-24 2004-05-04 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal processing of a hydrocarbon containing formation with a selected vitrinite reflectance
US6607033B2 (en) 2000-04-24 2003-08-19 Shell Oil Company In Situ thermal processing of a coal formation to produce a condensate
US6609570B2 (en) 2000-04-24 2003-08-26 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal processing of a coal formation and ammonia production
US7798221B2 (en) 2000-04-24 2010-09-21 Shell Oil Company In situ recovery from a hydrocarbon containing formation
US6591906B2 (en) 2000-04-24 2003-07-15 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal processing of a hydrocarbon containing formation with a selected oxygen content
US6805195B2 (en) 2000-04-24 2004-10-19 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal processing of a hydrocarbon containing formation to produce hydrocarbon fluids and synthesis gas
US20020040778A1 (en) * 2000-04-24 2002-04-11 Wellington Scott Lee In situ thermal processing of a hydrocarbon containing formation with a selected hydrogen content
US20030178191A1 (en) * 2000-04-24 2003-09-25 Maher Kevin Albert In situ recovery from a kerogen and liquid hydrocarbon containing formation
US6591907B2 (en) 2000-04-24 2003-07-15 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal processing of a coal formation with a selected vitrinite reflectance
US20020046883A1 (en) * 2000-04-24 2002-04-25 Wellington Scott Lee In situ thermal processing of a coal formation using pressure and/or temperature control
US20020049360A1 (en) * 2000-04-24 2002-04-25 Wellington Scott Lee In situ thermal processing of a hydrocarbon containing formation to produce a mixture including ammonia
US20020076212A1 (en) * 2000-04-24 2002-06-20 Etuan Zhang In situ thermal processing of a hydrocarbon containing formation producing a mixture with oxygenated hydrocarbons
US8225866B2 (en) 2000-04-24 2012-07-24 Shell Oil Company In situ recovery from a hydrocarbon containing formation
US6789625B2 (en) 2000-04-24 2004-09-14 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal processing of a hydrocarbon containing formation using exposed metal heat sources
US6688387B1 (en) 2000-04-24 2004-02-10 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal processing of a hydrocarbon containing formation to produce a hydrocarbon condensate
US6698515B2 (en) 2000-04-24 2004-03-02 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal processing of a coal formation using a relatively slow heating rate
US6702016B2 (en) 2000-04-24 2004-03-09 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal processing of a hydrocarbon containing formation with heat sources located at an edge of a formation layer
US6708758B2 (en) 2000-04-24 2004-03-23 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal processing of a coal formation leaving one or more selected unprocessed areas
US6712137B2 (en) 2000-04-24 2004-03-30 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal processing of a coal formation to pyrolyze a selected percentage of hydrocarbon material
US6712136B2 (en) 2000-04-24 2004-03-30 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal processing of a hydrocarbon containing formation using a selected production well spacing
US6712135B2 (en) 2000-04-24 2004-03-30 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal processing of a coal formation in reducing environment
US6715549B2 (en) 2000-04-24 2004-04-06 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal processing of a hydrocarbon containing formation with a selected atomic oxygen to carbon ratio
US6715548B2 (en) 2000-04-24 2004-04-06 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal processing of a hydrocarbon containing formation to produce nitrogen containing formation fluids
US6715547B2 (en) 2000-04-24 2004-04-06 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal processing of a hydrocarbon containing formation to form a substantially uniform, high permeability formation
US6715546B2 (en) 2000-04-24 2004-04-06 Shell Oil Company In situ production of synthesis gas from a hydrocarbon containing formation through a heat source wellbore
US6719047B2 (en) 2000-04-24 2004-04-13 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal processing of a hydrocarbon containing formation in a hydrogen-rich environment
US6722431B2 (en) 2000-04-24 2004-04-20 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal processing of hydrocarbons within a relatively permeable formation
US6722429B2 (en) 2000-04-24 2004-04-20 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal processing of a hydrocarbon containing formation leaving one or more selected unprocessed areas
US6722430B2 (en) * 2000-04-24 2004-04-20 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal processing of a coal formation with a selected oxygen content and/or selected O/C ratio
US6725920B2 (en) 2000-04-24 2004-04-27 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal processing of a hydrocarbon containing formation to convert a selected amount of total organic carbon into hydrocarbon products
US6725928B2 (en) 2000-04-24 2004-04-27 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal processing of a coal formation using a distributed combustor
US6725921B2 (en) 2000-04-24 2004-04-27 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal processing of a coal formation by controlling a pressure of the formation
US6820688B2 (en) 2000-04-24 2004-11-23 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal processing of coal formation with a selected hydrogen content and/or selected H/C ratio
US6729396B2 (en) 2000-04-24 2004-05-04 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal processing of a coal formation to produce hydrocarbons having a selected carbon number range
US6729401B2 (en) 2000-04-24 2004-05-04 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal processing of a hydrocarbon containing formation and ammonia production
US6729395B2 (en) 2000-04-24 2004-05-04 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal processing of a hydrocarbon containing formation with a selected ratio of heat sources to production wells
US6732796B2 (en) 2000-04-24 2004-05-11 Shell Oil Company In situ production of synthesis gas from a hydrocarbon containing formation, the synthesis gas having a selected H2 to CO ratio
US6732795B2 (en) 2000-04-24 2004-05-11 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal processing of a hydrocarbon containing formation to pyrolyze a selected percentage of hydrocarbon material
US6732794B2 (en) 2000-04-24 2004-05-11 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal processing of a hydrocarbon containing formation to produce a mixture with a selected hydrogen content
US6736215B2 (en) 2000-04-24 2004-05-18 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal processing of a hydrocarbon containing formation, in situ production of synthesis gas, and carbon dioxide sequestration
US6739393B2 (en) 2000-04-24 2004-05-25 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal processing of a coal formation and tuning production
US6739394B2 (en) 2000-04-24 2004-05-25 Shell Oil Company Production of synthesis gas from a hydrocarbon containing formation
US8485252B2 (en) 2000-04-24 2013-07-16 Shell Oil Company In situ recovery from a hydrocarbon containing formation
US6742587B2 (en) 2000-04-24 2004-06-01 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal processing of a coal formation to form a substantially uniform, relatively high permeable formation
US6742593B2 (en) 2000-04-24 2004-06-01 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal processing of a hydrocarbon containing formation using heat transfer from a heat transfer fluid to heat the formation
US6742589B2 (en) 2000-04-24 2004-06-01 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal processing of a coal formation using repeating triangular patterns of heat sources
US6745832B2 (en) 2000-04-24 2004-06-08 Shell Oil Company Situ thermal processing of a hydrocarbon containing formation to control product composition
US6745837B2 (en) 2000-04-24 2004-06-08 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal processing of a hydrocarbon containing formation using a controlled heating rate
US6745831B2 (en) 2000-04-24 2004-06-08 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal processing of a hydrocarbon containing formation by controlling a pressure of the formation
US6749021B2 (en) 2000-04-24 2004-06-15 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal processing of a coal formation using a controlled heating rate
US6752210B2 (en) 2000-04-24 2004-06-22 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal processing of a coal formation using heat sources positioned within open wellbores
US6769485B2 (en) 2000-04-24 2004-08-03 Shell Oil Company In situ production of synthesis gas from a coal formation through a heat source wellbore
US8789586B2 (en) 2000-04-24 2014-07-29 Shell Oil Company In situ recovery from a hydrocarbon containing formation
US20020132862A1 (en) * 2000-04-24 2002-09-19 Vinegar Harold J. Production of synthesis gas from a coal formation
US6758268B2 (en) 2000-04-24 2004-07-06 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal processing of a hydrocarbon containing formation using a relatively slow heating rate
US6761216B2 (en) 2000-04-24 2004-07-13 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal processing of a coal formation to produce hydrocarbon fluids and synthesis gas
US6763886B2 (en) 2000-04-24 2004-07-20 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal processing of a coal formation with carbon dioxide sequestration
US6769483B2 (en) 2000-04-24 2004-08-03 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal processing of a hydrocarbon containing formation using conductor in conduit heat sources
US6588504B2 (en) 2000-04-24 2003-07-08 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal processing of a coal formation to produce nitrogen and/or sulfur containing formation fluids
US6581684B2 (en) 2000-04-24 2003-06-24 Shell Oil Company In Situ thermal processing of a hydrocarbon containing formation to produce sulfur containing formation fluids
US20060213657A1 (en) * 2001-04-24 2006-09-28 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal processing of an oil shale formation using a pattern of heat sources
US8608249B2 (en) 2001-04-24 2013-12-17 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal processing of an oil shale formation
US20080314593A1 (en) * 2001-04-24 2008-12-25 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal processing of an oil shale formation using a pattern of heat sources
US20030173080A1 (en) * 2001-04-24 2003-09-18 Berchenko Ilya Emil In situ thermal processing of an oil shale formation using a pattern of heat sources
US20030137181A1 (en) * 2001-04-24 2003-07-24 Wellington Scott Lee In situ thermal processing of an oil shale formation to produce hydrocarbons having a selected carbon number range
US7735935B2 (en) 2001-04-24 2010-06-15 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal processing of an oil shale formation containing carbonate minerals
US20060122690A1 (en) * 2001-05-02 2006-06-08 Inflow Dynnamics Stent device and method
US20040211569A1 (en) * 2001-10-24 2004-10-28 Vinegar Harold J. Installation and use of removable heaters in a hydrocarbon containing formation
US20040120771A1 (en) * 2001-10-24 2004-06-24 Vinegar Harold J. Soil remediation of mercury contamination
US20030196789A1 (en) * 2001-10-24 2003-10-23 Wellington Scott Lee In situ thermal processing of a hydrocarbon containing formation and upgrading of produced fluids prior to further treatment
US20040020642A1 (en) * 2001-10-24 2004-02-05 Vinegar Harold J. In situ recovery from a hydrocarbon containing formation using conductor-in-conduit heat sources with an electrically conductive material in the overburden
US20030196788A1 (en) * 2001-10-24 2003-10-23 Vinegar Harold J. Producing hydrocarbons and non-hydrocarbon containing materials when treating a hydrocarbon containing formation
US20040120772A1 (en) * 2001-10-24 2004-06-24 Vinegar Harold J. Isolation of soil with a low temperature barrier prior to conductive thermal treatment of the soil
US6854929B2 (en) 2001-10-24 2005-02-15 Board Of Regents, The University Of Texas System Isolation of soil with a low temperature barrier prior to conductive thermal treatment of the soil
US8627887B2 (en) 2001-10-24 2014-01-14 Shell Oil Company In situ recovery from a hydrocarbon containing formation
US20030192693A1 (en) * 2001-10-24 2003-10-16 Wellington Scott Lee In situ thermal processing of a hydrocarbon containing formation to produce heated fluids
WO2003035290A1 (en) * 2001-10-24 2003-05-01 Shell Internationale Research Maatschappij B.V. Thermally enhanced soil decontamination method
US6951436B2 (en) 2001-10-24 2005-10-04 Board Of Regents, The University Of Texas System Thermally enhanced soil decontamination method
US6962466B2 (en) * 2001-10-24 2005-11-08 Board Of Regents, The University Of Texas System Soil remediation of mercury contamination
US20030192691A1 (en) * 2001-10-24 2003-10-16 Vinegar Harold J. In situ recovery from a hydrocarbon containing formation using barriers
WO2003035987A2 (en) 2001-10-24 2003-05-01 Shell Oil Company Isolation of soil with a frozen barrier prior to conductive thermal treatment of the soil
US20030173072A1 (en) * 2001-10-24 2003-09-18 Vinegar Harold J. Forming openings in a hydrocarbon containing formation using magnetic tracking
US20030173082A1 (en) * 2001-10-24 2003-09-18 Vinegar Harold J. In situ thermal processing of a heavy oil diatomite formation
US20040126190A1 (en) * 2001-10-24 2004-07-01 Stegemeier George L Thermally enhanced soil decontamination method
WO2003074204A1 (en) * 2002-03-06 2003-09-12 Nippon Steel Corporation Method of treating contaminated soil for converting the soil to harmless soil and applicator
US20050006097A1 (en) * 2002-10-24 2005-01-13 Sandberg Chester Ledlie Variable frequency temperature limited heaters
US8224163B2 (en) 2002-10-24 2012-07-17 Shell Oil Company Variable frequency temperature limited heaters
US8224164B2 (en) 2002-10-24 2012-07-17 Shell Oil Company Insulated conductor temperature limited heaters
US20040140095A1 (en) * 2002-10-24 2004-07-22 Vinegar Harold J. Staged and/or patterned heating during in situ thermal processing of a hydrocarbon containing formation
US20040146288A1 (en) * 2002-10-24 2004-07-29 Vinegar Harold J. Temperature limited heaters for heating subsurface formations or wellbores
US20040145969A1 (en) * 2002-10-24 2004-07-29 Taixu Bai Inhibiting wellbore deformation during in situ thermal processing of a hydrocarbon containing formation
US20040144540A1 (en) * 2002-10-24 2004-07-29 Sandberg Chester Ledlie High voltage temperature limited heaters
US8238730B2 (en) 2002-10-24 2012-08-07 Shell Oil Company High voltage temperature limited heaters
US7942203B2 (en) 2003-04-24 2011-05-17 Shell Oil Company Thermal processes for subsurface formations
US8579031B2 (en) 2003-04-24 2013-11-12 Shell Oil Company Thermal processes for subsurface formations
US20100181066A1 (en) * 2003-04-24 2010-07-22 Shell Oil Company Thermal processes for subsurface formations
US6881009B2 (en) 2003-05-15 2005-04-19 Board Of Regents , The University Of Texas System Remediation of soil piles using central equipment
US7004678B2 (en) 2003-05-15 2006-02-28 Board Of Regents, The University Of Texas System Soil remediation with heated soil
US20040228689A1 (en) * 2003-05-15 2004-11-18 Stegemeier George L. Soil remediation with heated soil
US20040228690A1 (en) * 2003-05-15 2004-11-18 Stegemeier George L. Soil remediation using heated vapors
US20040228688A1 (en) * 2003-05-15 2004-11-18 Stegemeier George L. Remediation of soil piles using central equipment
US7534926B2 (en) 2003-05-15 2009-05-19 Board Of Regents, The University Of Texas System Soil remediation using heated vapors
US8355623B2 (en) 2004-04-23 2013-01-15 Shell Oil Company Temperature limited heaters with high power factors
US20060242900A1 (en) * 2005-01-05 2006-11-02 Lovelace Reginald B Nematode extermination in place using heat blankets
US7469500B2 (en) * 2005-01-05 2008-12-30 Lovelace Reginald B Nematode extermination in place using heat blankets
US7831134B2 (en) 2005-04-22 2010-11-09 Shell Oil Company Grouped exposed metal heaters
US8233782B2 (en) 2005-04-22 2012-07-31 Shell Oil Company Grouped exposed metal heaters
US8224165B2 (en) 2005-04-22 2012-07-17 Shell Oil Company Temperature limited heater utilizing non-ferromagnetic conductor
US8027571B2 (en) 2005-04-22 2011-09-27 Shell Oil Company In situ conversion process systems utilizing wellbores in at least two regions of a formation
US7860377B2 (en) 2005-04-22 2010-12-28 Shell Oil Company Subsurface connection methods for subsurface heaters
US8230927B2 (en) 2005-04-22 2012-07-31 Shell Oil Company Methods and systems for producing fluid from an in situ conversion process
US7942197B2 (en) 2005-04-22 2011-05-17 Shell Oil Company Methods and systems for producing fluid from an in situ conversion process
US7986869B2 (en) 2005-04-22 2011-07-26 Shell Oil Company Varying properties along lengths of temperature limited heaters
US8070840B2 (en) 2005-04-22 2011-12-06 Shell Oil Company Treatment of gas from an in situ conversion process
US20070095537A1 (en) * 2005-10-24 2007-05-03 Vinegar Harold J Solution mining dawsonite from hydrocarbon containing formations with a chelating agent
US8606091B2 (en) 2005-10-24 2013-12-10 Shell Oil Company Subsurface heaters with low sulfidation rates
US8151880B2 (en) 2005-10-24 2012-04-10 Shell Oil Company Methods of making transportation fuel
US7454847B1 (en) 2005-12-30 2008-11-25 Miller Roger G Sediment and sludge dewatering by vacuum bag method
US20070284108A1 (en) * 2006-04-21 2007-12-13 Roes Augustinus W M Compositions produced using an in situ heat treatment process
US8857506B2 (en) 2006-04-21 2014-10-14 Shell Oil Company Alternate energy source usage methods for in situ heat treatment processes
US7793722B2 (en) 2006-04-21 2010-09-14 Shell Oil Company Non-ferromagnetic overburden casing
US8083813B2 (en) 2006-04-21 2011-12-27 Shell Oil Company Methods of producing transportation fuel
US20080035347A1 (en) * 2006-04-21 2008-02-14 Brady Michael P Adjusting alloy compositions for selected properties in temperature limited heaters
US20080017380A1 (en) * 2006-04-21 2008-01-24 Vinegar Harold J Non-ferromagnetic overburden casing
US7683296B2 (en) 2006-04-21 2010-03-23 Shell Oil Company Adjusting alloy compositions for selected properties in temperature limited heaters
US7785427B2 (en) 2006-04-21 2010-08-31 Shell Oil Company High strength alloys
US7912358B2 (en) 2006-04-21 2011-03-22 Shell Oil Company Alternate energy source usage for in situ heat treatment processes
US7866385B2 (en) 2006-04-21 2011-01-11 Shell Oil Company Power systems utilizing the heat of produced formation fluid
US7673786B2 (en) 2006-04-21 2010-03-09 Shell Oil Company Welding shield for coupling heaters
US8192682B2 (en) 2006-04-21 2012-06-05 Shell Oil Company High strength alloys
US7386957B2 (en) * 2006-09-29 2008-06-17 Xerox Corporation Non-intrusive vapor collection apparatus
US20080080934A1 (en) * 2006-09-29 2008-04-03 Eliott Nelson Duffney Non-intrusive vapor collection apparatus
US7730946B2 (en) 2006-10-20 2010-06-08 Shell Oil Company Treating tar sands formations with dolomite
US7717171B2 (en) 2006-10-20 2010-05-18 Shell Oil Company Moving hydrocarbons through portions of tar sands formations with a fluid
US20080283246A1 (en) * 2006-10-20 2008-11-20 John Michael Karanikas Heating tar sands formations to visbreaking temperatures
US7677310B2 (en) 2006-10-20 2010-03-16 Shell Oil Company Creating and maintaining a gas cap in tar sands formations
US7681647B2 (en) 2006-10-20 2010-03-23 Shell Oil Company Method of producing drive fluid in situ in tar sands formations
US8555971B2 (en) 2006-10-20 2013-10-15 Shell Oil Company Treating tar sands formations with dolomite
US7677314B2 (en) 2006-10-20 2010-03-16 Shell Oil Company Method of condensing vaporized water in situ to treat tar sands formations
US20080236831A1 (en) * 2006-10-20 2008-10-02 Chia-Fu Hsu Condensing vaporized water in situ to treat tar sands formations
US7703513B2 (en) 2006-10-20 2010-04-27 Shell Oil Company Wax barrier for use with in situ processes for treating formations
US7730947B2 (en) 2006-10-20 2010-06-08 Shell Oil Company Creating fluid injectivity in tar sands formations
US7841401B2 (en) 2006-10-20 2010-11-30 Shell Oil Company Gas injection to inhibit migration during an in situ heat treatment process
US7673681B2 (en) 2006-10-20 2010-03-09 Shell Oil Company Treating tar sands formations with karsted zones
US7845411B2 (en) 2006-10-20 2010-12-07 Shell Oil Company In situ heat treatment process utilizing a closed loop heating system
US7644765B2 (en) 2006-10-20 2010-01-12 Shell Oil Company Heating tar sands formations while controlling pressure
US8191630B2 (en) 2006-10-20 2012-06-05 Shell Oil Company Creating fluid injectivity in tar sands formations
US7730945B2 (en) 2006-10-20 2010-06-08 Shell Oil Company Using geothermal energy to heat a portion of a formation for an in situ heat treatment process
WO2008073134A1 (en) * 2006-12-15 2008-06-19 Roger Miller Sediment and sludge dewatering by vacuum bag method
US7967974B2 (en) 2007-02-09 2011-06-28 Red Leaf Resources, Inc. Methods of recovering hydrocarbons from hydrocarbonaceous material using a constructed infrastructure having permeable walls and associated systems
US7862706B2 (en) 2007-02-09 2011-01-04 Red Leaf Resources, Inc. Methods of recovering hydrocarbons from water-containing hydrocarbonaceous material using a constructed infrastructure and associated systems
US7862705B2 (en) 2007-02-09 2011-01-04 Red Leaf Resources, Inc. Methods of recovering hydrocarbons from hydrocarbonaceous material using a constructed infrastructure and associated systems
US7906014B2 (en) 2007-02-09 2011-03-15 Red Leaf Resources, Inc. Methods of recovering hydrocarbons from hydrocarbonaceous material with reduced non-carbonaceous leachate and CO2 and associated systems
US20080190813A1 (en) * 2007-02-09 2008-08-14 Todd Dana Methods of recovering hydrocarbons from water-containing hydrocarbonaceous material using a constructed infrastructure and associated systems
US20080190818A1 (en) * 2007-02-09 2008-08-14 Todd Dana Methods of recovering hydrocarbons from hydrocarbonaceous material using a constructed infrastructure and associated systems
US8109047B2 (en) 2007-02-09 2012-02-07 Red Leaf Resources, Inc. System for recovering hydrocarbons from water-containing hydrocarbonaceous material using a constructed infrastructure
US20080190815A1 (en) * 2007-02-09 2008-08-14 Todd Dana Methods of recovering hydrocarbons from hydrocarbonaceous material using a constructed infrastructure having permeable walls and associated systems
US20080190816A1 (en) * 2007-02-09 2008-08-14 Todd Dana Methods of recovering hydrocarbons from hydrocarbonaceous material with reduced non-carbonaceous leachate and co2 and associated systems
US20110094952A1 (en) * 2007-02-09 2011-04-28 Red Leaf Resources, Inc. System For Recovering Hydrocarbons From Water-Containing Hydrocarbonaceous Material Using a Constructed Infrastructure
US8662175B2 (en) 2007-04-20 2014-03-04 Shell Oil Company Varying properties of in situ heat treatment of a tar sands formation based on assessed viscosities
US7849922B2 (en) 2007-04-20 2010-12-14 Shell Oil Company In situ recovery from residually heated sections in a hydrocarbon containing formation
US7950453B2 (en) 2007-04-20 2011-05-31 Shell Oil Company Downhole burner systems and methods for heating subsurface formations
US8791396B2 (en) 2007-04-20 2014-07-29 Shell Oil Company Floating insulated conductors for heating subsurface formations
US7931086B2 (en) 2007-04-20 2011-04-26 Shell Oil Company Heating systems for heating subsurface formations
US20090090158A1 (en) * 2007-04-20 2009-04-09 Ian Alexander Davidson Wellbore manufacturing processes for in situ heat treatment processes
US8381815B2 (en) 2007-04-20 2013-02-26 Shell Oil Company Production from multiple zones of a tar sands formation
US8327681B2 (en) 2007-04-20 2012-12-11 Shell Oil Company Wellbore manufacturing processes for in situ heat treatment processes
US7841425B2 (en) 2007-04-20 2010-11-30 Shell Oil Company Drilling subsurface wellbores with cutting structures
US7841408B2 (en) 2007-04-20 2010-11-30 Shell Oil Company In situ heat treatment from multiple layers of a tar sands formation
US8042610B2 (en) 2007-04-20 2011-10-25 Shell Oil Company Parallel heater system for subsurface formations
US7832484B2 (en) 2007-04-20 2010-11-16 Shell Oil Company Molten salt as a heat transfer fluid for heating a subsurface formation
US8459359B2 (en) 2007-04-20 2013-06-11 Shell Oil Company Treating nahcolite containing formations and saline zones
US9181780B2 (en) 2007-04-20 2015-11-10 Shell Oil Company Controlling and assessing pressure conditions during treatment of tar sands formations
US7798220B2 (en) 2007-04-20 2010-09-21 Shell Oil Company In situ heat treatment of a tar sands formation after drive process treatment
US8146669B2 (en) 2007-10-19 2012-04-03 Shell Oil Company Multi-step heater deployment in a subsurface formation
US8113272B2 (en) 2007-10-19 2012-02-14 Shell Oil Company Three-phase heaters with common overburden sections for heating subsurface formations
US8146661B2 (en) 2007-10-19 2012-04-03 Shell Oil Company Cryogenic treatment of gas
US8536497B2 (en) 2007-10-19 2013-09-17 Shell Oil Company Methods for forming long subsurface heaters
US7866386B2 (en) 2007-10-19 2011-01-11 Shell Oil Company In situ oxidation of subsurface formations
US8276661B2 (en) 2007-10-19 2012-10-02 Shell Oil Company Heating subsurface formations by oxidizing fuel on a fuel carrier
US8011451B2 (en) 2007-10-19 2011-09-06 Shell Oil Company Ranging methods for developing wellbores in subsurface formations
US8162059B2 (en) 2007-10-19 2012-04-24 Shell Oil Company Induction heaters used to heat subsurface formations
US8272455B2 (en) 2007-10-19 2012-09-25 Shell Oil Company Methods for forming wellbores in heated formations
US20090200022A1 (en) * 2007-10-19 2009-08-13 Jose Luis Bravo Cryogenic treatment of gas
US8240774B2 (en) 2007-10-19 2012-08-14 Shell Oil Company Solution mining and in situ treatment of nahcolite beds
US20090194286A1 (en) * 2007-10-19 2009-08-06 Stanley Leroy Mason Multi-step heater deployment in a subsurface formation
US7866388B2 (en) 2007-10-19 2011-01-11 Shell Oil Company High temperature methods for forming oxidizer fuel
US8196658B2 (en) 2007-10-19 2012-06-12 Shell Oil Company Irregular spacing of heat sources for treating hydrocarbon containing formations
US20090200023A1 (en) * 2007-10-19 2009-08-13 Michael Costello Heating subsurface formations by oxidizing fuel on a fuel carrier
US20090200290A1 (en) * 2007-10-19 2009-08-13 Paul Gregory Cardinal Variable voltage load tap changing transformer
US20090250380A1 (en) * 2008-02-08 2009-10-08 Todd Dana Methods of transporting heavy hydrocarbons
US8003844B2 (en) 2008-02-08 2011-08-23 Red Leaf Resources, Inc. Methods of transporting heavy hydrocarbons
US9528322B2 (en) 2008-04-18 2016-12-27 Shell Oil Company Dual motor systems and non-rotating sensors for use in developing wellbores in subsurface formations
US20100071903A1 (en) * 2008-04-18 2010-03-25 Shell Oil Company Mines and tunnels for use in treating subsurface hydrocarbon containing formations
US20090272526A1 (en) * 2008-04-18 2009-11-05 David Booth Burns Electrical current flow between tunnels for use in heating subsurface hydrocarbon containing formations
US8151907B2 (en) 2008-04-18 2012-04-10 Shell Oil Company Dual motor systems and non-rotating sensors for use in developing wellbores in subsurface formations
US8177305B2 (en) 2008-04-18 2012-05-15 Shell Oil Company Heater connections in mines and tunnels for use in treating subsurface hydrocarbon containing formations
US8172335B2 (en) 2008-04-18 2012-05-08 Shell Oil Company Electrical current flow between tunnels for use in heating subsurface hydrocarbon containing formations
US8636323B2 (en) 2008-04-18 2014-01-28 Shell Oil Company Mines and tunnels for use in treating subsurface hydrocarbon containing formations
US8752904B2 (en) 2008-04-18 2014-06-17 Shell Oil Company Heated fluid flow in mines and tunnels used in heating subsurface hydrocarbon containing formations
US8562078B2 (en) 2008-04-18 2013-10-22 Shell Oil Company Hydrocarbon production from mines and tunnels used in treating subsurface hydrocarbon containing formations
US20090272536A1 (en) * 2008-04-18 2009-11-05 David Booth Burns Heater connections in mines and tunnels for use in treating subsurface hydrocarbon containing formations
US8162405B2 (en) 2008-04-18 2012-04-24 Shell Oil Company Using tunnels for treating subsurface hydrocarbon containing formations
US8453723B2 (en) 2008-09-09 2013-06-04 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Control of well tools utilizing downhole pumps
US20100237698A1 (en) * 2008-09-09 2010-09-23 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Sneak path eliminator for diode multiplexed control of downhole well tools
US8757278B2 (en) 2008-09-09 2014-06-24 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Sneak path eliminator for diode multiplexed control of downhole well tools
US8590609B2 (en) 2008-09-09 2013-11-26 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Sneak path eliminator for diode multiplexed control of downhole well tools
US20100236790A1 (en) * 2008-09-09 2010-09-23 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Control of well tools utilizing downhole pumps
US20110210609A1 (en) * 2008-09-09 2011-09-01 Smithson Mitchell C Sneak path eliminator for diode multiplexed control of downhole well tools
US8256512B2 (en) 2008-10-13 2012-09-04 Shell Oil Company Movable heaters for treating subsurface hydrocarbon containing formations
US9022118B2 (en) 2008-10-13 2015-05-05 Shell Oil Company Double insulated heaters for treating subsurface formations
US8353347B2 (en) 2008-10-13 2013-01-15 Shell Oil Company Deployment of insulated conductors for treating subsurface formations
US8881806B2 (en) 2008-10-13 2014-11-11 Shell Oil Company Systems and methods for treating a subsurface formation with electrical conductors
US20100155070A1 (en) * 2008-10-13 2010-06-24 Augustinus Wilhelmus Maria Roes Organonitrogen compounds used in treating hydrocarbon containing formations
US9051829B2 (en) 2008-10-13 2015-06-09 Shell Oil Company Perforated electrical conductors for treating subsurface formations
US9129728B2 (en) 2008-10-13 2015-09-08 Shell Oil Company Systems and methods of forming subsurface wellbores
US8281861B2 (en) 2008-10-13 2012-10-09 Shell Oil Company Circulated heated transfer fluid heating of subsurface hydrocarbon formations
US8267185B2 (en) 2008-10-13 2012-09-18 Shell Oil Company Circulated heated transfer fluid systems used to treat a subsurface formation
US8267170B2 (en) 2008-10-13 2012-09-18 Shell Oil Company Offset barrier wells in subsurface formations
US8261832B2 (en) 2008-10-13 2012-09-11 Shell Oil Company Heating subsurface formations with fluids
US8220539B2 (en) 2008-10-13 2012-07-17 Shell Oil Company Controlling hydrogen pressure in self-regulating nuclear reactors used to treat a subsurface formation
US8366918B2 (en) 2009-02-12 2013-02-05 Red Leaf Resources, Inc. Vapor collection and barrier systems for encapsulated control infrastructures
US8267481B2 (en) 2009-02-12 2012-09-18 Red Leaf Resources, Inc. Convective heat systems for recovery of hydrocarbons from encapsulated permeability control infrastructures
US20100206518A1 (en) * 2009-02-12 2010-08-19 Patten James W Corrugated heating conduit and method of using in thermal expansion and subsidence mitigation
US20100200464A1 (en) * 2009-02-12 2010-08-12 Todd Dana Vapor collection and barrier systems for encapsulated control infrastructures
US8875371B2 (en) 2009-02-12 2014-11-04 Red Leaf Resources, Inc. Articulated conduit linkage system
US20100200467A1 (en) * 2009-02-12 2010-08-12 Todd Dana Methods of recovering hydrocarbons from hydrocarbonaceous material using a constructed infrastructure and associated systems maintained under positive pressure
US8366917B2 (en) 2009-02-12 2013-02-05 Red Leaf Resources, Inc Methods of recovering minerals from hydrocarbonaceous material using a constructed infrastructure and associated systems
US8365478B2 (en) 2009-02-12 2013-02-05 Red Leaf Resources, Inc. Intermediate vapor collection within encapsulated control infrastructures
US20100206410A1 (en) * 2009-02-12 2010-08-19 Patten James W Articulated conduit linkage system
US20100200466A1 (en) * 2009-02-12 2010-08-12 Todd Dana Methods of recovering minerals from hydrocarbonaceous material using a constructed infrastructure and associated systems
US20100200465A1 (en) * 2009-02-12 2010-08-12 Todd Dana Carbon management and sequestration from encapsulated control infrastructures
US8349171B2 (en) 2009-02-12 2013-01-08 Red Leaf Resources, Inc. Methods of recovering hydrocarbons from hydrocarbonaceous material using a constructed infrastructure and associated systems maintained under positive pressure
US8490703B2 (en) 2009-02-12 2013-07-23 Red Leaf Resources, Inc Corrugated heating conduit and method of using in thermal expansion and subsidence mitigation
US8323481B2 (en) 2009-02-12 2012-12-04 Red Leaf Resources, Inc. Carbon management and sequestration from encapsulated control infrastructures
US20100200468A1 (en) * 2009-02-12 2010-08-12 Todd Dana Convective heat systems for recovery of hydrocarbons from encapsulated permeability control infrastructures
US8434555B2 (en) 2009-04-10 2013-05-07 Shell Oil Company Irregular pattern treatment of a subsurface formation
US8327932B2 (en) 2009-04-10 2012-12-11 Shell Oil Company Recovering energy from a subsurface formation
US8448707B2 (en) 2009-04-10 2013-05-28 Shell Oil Company Non-conducting heater casings
US9260952B2 (en) 2009-08-18 2016-02-16 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Method and apparatus for controlling fluid flow in an autonomous valve using a sticky switch
US8657017B2 (en) 2009-08-18 2014-02-25 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Method and apparatus for autonomous downhole fluid selection with pathway dependent resistance system
US8714266B2 (en) 2009-08-18 2014-05-06 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Method and apparatus for autonomous downhole fluid selection with pathway dependent resistance system
US9109423B2 (en) 2009-08-18 2015-08-18 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Apparatus for autonomous downhole fluid selection with pathway dependent resistance system
US8931566B2 (en) 2009-08-18 2015-01-13 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Method and apparatus for autonomous downhole fluid selection with pathway dependent resistance system
US9080410B2 (en) 2009-08-18 2015-07-14 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Method and apparatus for autonomous downhole fluid selection with pathway dependent resistance system
US20110073274A1 (en) * 2009-09-30 2011-03-31 Ics Group Inc. Modular climate change tarp system
US20110094120A1 (en) * 2009-10-28 2011-04-28 The Dow Chemical Company Device to dry catalyst roaster conveyor belt and method of using same
US8567099B2 (en) 2009-10-28 2013-10-29 Dow Technology Investments Llc Device to dry catalyst roaster conveyor belt and method of using same
US9242190B2 (en) 2009-12-03 2016-01-26 Red Leaf Resources, Inc. Methods and systems for removing fines from hydrocarbon-containing fluids
US9482467B2 (en) 2009-12-16 2016-11-01 Red Leaf Resources, Inc. Method for the removal and condensation of vapors
US8961652B2 (en) 2009-12-16 2015-02-24 Red Leaf Resources, Inc. Method for the removal and condensation of vapors
US20110138649A1 (en) * 2009-12-16 2011-06-16 Red Leaf Resources, Inc. Method For The Removal And Condensation Of Vapors
US9133685B2 (en) 2010-02-04 2015-09-15 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Method and apparatus for autonomous downhole fluid selection with pathway dependent resistance system
US8701768B2 (en) 2010-04-09 2014-04-22 Shell Oil Company Methods for treating hydrocarbon formations
US9127523B2 (en) 2010-04-09 2015-09-08 Shell Oil Company Barrier methods for use in subsurface hydrocarbon formations
US8833453B2 (en) 2010-04-09 2014-09-16 Shell Oil Company Electrodes for electrical current flow heating of subsurface formations with tapered copper thickness
US9127538B2 (en) 2010-04-09 2015-09-08 Shell Oil Company Methodologies for treatment of hydrocarbon formations using staged pyrolyzation
US8631866B2 (en) 2010-04-09 2014-01-21 Shell Oil Company Leak detection in circulated fluid systems for heating subsurface formations
US8701769B2 (en) 2010-04-09 2014-04-22 Shell Oil Company Methods for treating hydrocarbon formations based on geology
US9399905B2 (en) 2010-04-09 2016-07-26 Shell Oil Company Leak detection in circulated fluid systems for heating subsurface formations
US8820406B2 (en) 2010-04-09 2014-09-02 Shell Oil Company Electrodes for electrical current flow heating of subsurface formations with conductive material in wellbore
US9022109B2 (en) 2010-04-09 2015-05-05 Shell Oil Company Leak detection in circulated fluid systems for heating subsurface formations
US9033042B2 (en) 2010-04-09 2015-05-19 Shell Oil Company Forming bitumen barriers in subsurface hydrocarbon formations
US8739874B2 (en) 2010-04-09 2014-06-03 Shell Oil Company Methods for heating with slots in hydrocarbon formations
US8757266B2 (en) 2010-04-29 2014-06-24 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Method and apparatus for controlling fluid flow using movable flow diverter assembly
US8622136B2 (en) 2010-04-29 2014-01-07 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Method and apparatus for controlling fluid flow using movable flow diverter assembly
US8616290B2 (en) 2010-04-29 2013-12-31 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Method and apparatus for controlling fluid flow using movable flow diverter assembly
US8708050B2 (en) 2010-04-29 2014-04-29 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Method and apparatus for controlling fluid flow using movable flow diverter assembly
US8985222B2 (en) 2010-04-29 2015-03-24 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Method and apparatus for controlling fluid flow using movable flow diverter assembly
US8476786B2 (en) 2010-06-21 2013-07-02 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Systems and methods for isolating current flow to well loads
CN102029286A (en) * 2010-11-15 2011-04-27 中国科学院武汉岩土力学研究所 Heterotopic repair method for soil polluted by volatile organic compounds and special device
US9016370B2 (en) 2011-04-08 2015-04-28 Shell Oil Company Partial solution mining of hydrocarbon containing layers prior to in situ heat treatment
US9309755B2 (en) 2011-10-07 2016-04-12 Shell Oil Company Thermal expansion accommodation for circulated fluid systems used to heat subsurface formations
US8991506B2 (en) 2011-10-31 2015-03-31 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Autonomous fluid control device having a movable valve plate for downhole fluid selection
US9291032B2 (en) 2011-10-31 2016-03-22 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Autonomous fluid control device having a reciprocating valve for downhole fluid selection
US10047594B2 (en) 2012-01-23 2018-08-14 Genie Ip B.V. Heater pattern for in situ thermal processing of a subsurface hydrocarbon containing formation
US9404349B2 (en) 2012-10-22 2016-08-02 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Autonomous fluid control system having a fluid diode
US9127526B2 (en) 2012-12-03 2015-09-08 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Fast pressure protection system and method
US9695654B2 (en) 2012-12-03 2017-07-04 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Wellhead flowback control system and method
US11554969B2 (en) * 2013-08-09 2023-01-17 Aquablok Ltd. Reactive treatment cell and systems for environmental remediation
US20150041409A1 (en) * 2013-08-09 2015-02-12 Aquablok, Ltd. Reactive Treatment Cell and Systems For Environmental Remediation
CN103551373A (en) * 2013-11-21 2014-02-05 华北电力大学 System and method for removing organic pollutants in soil employing microwave-assisted soil vapor extraction (SVE)
CN103551373B (en) * 2013-11-21 2015-03-04 华北电力大学 System and method for removing organic pollutants in soil employing microwave-assisted soil vapor extraction (SVE)
CN106051345A (en) * 2016-05-24 2016-10-26 北京建工环境修复股份有限公司 Pipeline and pipeline system
US10201042B1 (en) 2018-01-19 2019-02-05 Trs Group, Inc. Flexible helical heater
US10675664B2 (en) 2018-01-19 2020-06-09 Trs Group, Inc. PFAS remediation method and system
US10137486B1 (en) * 2018-02-27 2018-11-27 Chevron U.S.A. Inc. Systems and methods for thermal treatment of contaminated material
CN111318561A (en) * 2020-03-02 2020-06-23 南京霄祥工程技术有限公司 Contaminated soil remediation method and system
CN111318561B (en) * 2020-03-02 2021-11-19 威海科尼利合环保科技有限公司 Contaminated soil remediation method and system
US11642709B1 (en) 2021-03-04 2023-05-09 Trs Group, Inc. Optimized flux ERH electrode

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US4984594A (en) Vacuum method for removing soil contamination utilizing surface electrical heating
US5656239A (en) Method for recovering contaminants from soil utilizing electrical heating
US5190405A (en) Vacuum method for removing soil contaminants utilizing thermal conduction heating
US5769569A (en) In-situ thermal desorption of heavy hydrocarbons in vadose zone
US5114497A (en) Soil decontamination
US5169263A (en) In-situ soil decontamination process with sub-surface vapor recovery
US5076727A (en) In situ decontamination of spills and landfills by focussed microwave/radio frequency heating and a closed-loop vapor flushing and vacuum recovery system
WO1997048504A9 (en) In-situ thermal desorption of heavy hydrocarbons in vadose zone
US5271693A (en) Enhanced deep soil vapor extraction process and apparatus for removing contaminants trapped in or below the water table
US5193934A (en) In-situ thermal desorption of contaminated surface soil
US6824328B1 (en) Vapor collection and treatment of off-gas from an in-situ thermal desorption soil remediation
US4670634A (en) In situ decontamination of spills and landfills by radio frequency heating
US7004678B2 (en) Soil remediation with heated soil
US5244310A (en) In-situ soil heating press/vapor extraction system
US5660500A (en) Enhanced deep soil vapor extraction process and apparatus utilizing sheet metal pilings
US6485232B1 (en) Low cost, self regulating heater for use in an in situ thermal desorption soil remediation system
US7534926B2 (en) Soil remediation using heated vapors
EP1272290B1 (en) Heater element for use in an in situ thermal desorption soil remediation system
CA2462215C (en) Thermally enhanced soil decontamination method
US5370477A (en) In-situ decontamination with electromagnetic energy in a well array
US5664911A (en) Method and apparatus for in situ decontamination of a site contaminated with a volatile material
US6881009B2 (en) Remediation of soil piles using central equipment
CZ432099A3 (en) Remediation process
AU2002336664A1 (en) Thermally enhanced soil decontamination method
WO1998052704A1 (en) Remediation method

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: SHELL OIL COMPANY, TEXAS

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNORS:VINEGAR, HAROLD J.;STEGEMEIER, GEORGE L.;REEL/FRAME:005463/0705

Effective date: 19901024

STCF Information on status: patent grant

Free format text: PATENTED CASE

FEPP Fee payment procedure

Free format text: PAYOR NUMBER ASSIGNED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: ASPN); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: SMALL ENTITY

FPAY Fee payment

Year of fee payment: 4

FPAY Fee payment

Year of fee payment: 8

AS Assignment

Owner name: BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:SHELL OIL COMPANY;REEL/FRAME:010881/0345

Effective date: 20000410

FEPP Fee payment procedure

Free format text: PAYER NUMBER DE-ASSIGNED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: RMPN); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: SMALL ENTITY

Free format text: PAYOR NUMBER ASSIGNED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: ASPN); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: SMALL ENTITY

Free format text: PAT HOLDER CLAIMS SMALL ENTITY STATUS, ENTITY STATUS SET TO SMALL (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: LTOS); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: SMALL ENTITY

FPAY Fee payment

Year of fee payment: 12